Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 15619Possession of child sexual abuse material · Co. Dublin

Wicklow man given suspended sentence for possessing child sexual abuse material

Gardaí searched the Ranelagh, Dublin, residence of Mark Moran, 44, in June 2015 after a tip-off from UK police, and seized devices that were later found to hold about 782 images and 20 movies of child sexual abuse material. Analysis of the devices was delayed by a shortage of resources, and Moran was not arrested or charged until 2020. He pleaded guilty to possession at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and in October 2024 he was given a 21-month sentence, fully suspended on strict conditions. The latest reported development is that sentence, reported on 31 October 2024; one headline describes him as a Wicklow man.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Moran was found in possession of nearly 800 images of child sexual abuse material.
  • Analysis of the seized devices found about 782 images and 20 movies of child sexual abuse material.
Where
Moran, 44, of Ashbrook Terrace, Sallymount Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin, is the named suspect; one headline describes him as a Wicklow man.
When
Gardaí searched Moran's residence in June 2015.
Cause
The search followed a tip-off from police in the UK.
Investigation
Gardaí seized several devices, and their analysis was delayed due to a shortage of resources.
Charges
  • Moran was not arrested or charged until 2020.
  • Moran pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, referred to in law as child pornography.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • Moran was sentenced to 21 months, fully suspended on strict conditions, as reported on 31 October 2024.
  • The judge cited the absence of aggravating features such as distribution.
Other details
  • Moran has no previous convictions and has not come to garda attention since this incident.
  • Moran made some admissions during interview and told gardaí they would find adult pornography on the devices.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMoran was found in possession of nearly 800 images of child sexual abuse material. (rte.ie)
  • whatAnalysis of the seized devices found about 782 images and 20 movies of child sexual abuse material. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • whenGardaí searched Moran's residence in June 2015. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe search followed a tip-off from police in the UK. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThere was a delay in analysing the devices due to a shortage of resources. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMoran was not arrested or charged until 2020. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMoran pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceMoran was sentenced to 21 months, fully suspended on strict conditions. (rte.ie)
  • otherMoran has no previous convictions. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Oct2024
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Man with child abuse material given suspended sentence

    First report of the sentence: 21 months fully suspended, with the judge citing the absence of aggravating features such as distribution.

    convicted, Mark Moran, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Moran