Latest news with #GardaMcEvoy
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Sunday World
Face of taxi driver caught with child sex abuse video as he's jailed
Keith Reilly (57), a taxi driver and married father of two from Upper Grattan Park, Kindlestown Lower, Greystones, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty A Wicklow man who has been jailed for 10 months for possession of a video containing child sex abuse material appeared to have carried out the offence in the hope he would be 'rumbled', a court has heard. Keith Reilly (57), a taxi driver and married father of two from Upper Grattan Park, Kindlestown Lower, Greystones, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to possession of the offending material contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday heard that gardai were alerted to the existence of a video in a Dropbox account in Reilly's name by the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Keith Reilly News in 90 Seconds - July 24th Detective Garda Dara McEvoy gave evidence of seizing a mobile phone during a search of the defendant's home on July 2, 2021. Det Garda McEvoy said no child pornographic imagery was detected on the device but gardaí were 'extremely concerned' about the content and tone of a conversation between Reilly and another individual about young children in an exchange on WhatsApp. He told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that files in a Dropbox account belonging to the defendant could not be opened but two videos containing 'Category 1' child sex abuse material were subsequently found in it with the assistance of authorities in the US. Evidence was heard that one video contained a recording of children engaged in sexual activity while the other depicted a naked boy masturbating. Det Garda McEvoy agreed with Mr Kelly that the WhatsApp conversation in itself constituted an offence under the legislation but the court heard that no prosecution had been entered in relation to it. The court heard that Reilly had no other previous convictions apart from some road traffic offences from 20 years ago. Cross-examined by defence counsel, Barry White SC, Det Garda McEvoy said he was aware that the accused had complained to gardaí in the past about being sexually abused as a child. Det Garda McEvoy said he understood that a file on the complaint had been forwarded to the DPP who had directed that there should be no prosecution. Mr White observed that the defendant felt a proper Garda investigation had never occurred into the matter. The barrister said Reilly's offence seemed to be 'an endeavour to bring the matter into the open.' Judge John Martin acknowledged that the offence related to a small amount of material when some similar cases involved hundreds of videos. He also accepted that Reilly had cooperated with gardaí and entered an early guilty plea, while there was no evidence he had engaged in the offending behaviour over any prolonged period. However, Judge Martin said he was somewhat concerned that Reilly was the father of two teenage girls given the nature of the offence who had also shown no empathy or remorse. The judge said he disagreed with the view of both the defendant and his wife, that it was a victimless crime. 'Young people were exploited for the sexual pleasure of others,' the judge remarked. 'Innocent children were exploited by someone making money out of them.' Judge Martin said Reilly's claim that he was not motivated by any sexual desire but was calculated to bring himself 'into the spotlight' was 'a difficult pill to swallow.' The judge said it seemed like the defendant hoped he would be 'rumbled' which he found difficult to rationalise. He observed that Reilly had a difficult childhood which no child should have to endure 'no more than the children in the video you were watching.' The judge said he had been assessed at a low risk of offending although a psychologist believed such an assessment was likely to underestimate the risk due to the defendant's 'limited disclosure.' Sentencing Reilly to 14 months in prison, Judge Martin suspended the final four months on condition that he places himself under the supervision of the Probation Service and complies with any directions given to him for a period of 12 months after his release from prison. Another charge relating to possession of the other video was taken into consideration.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taxi driver jailed over possession of video containing child sex abuse material
A Wicklow man who has been jailed for 10 months for possession of a video containing child sex abuse material appeared to have carried out the offence in the hope he would be "rumbled", a court has heard. Keith Reilly (57), a taxi driver and married father of two from Upper Grattan Park, Kindlestown Lower, Greystones, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to possession of the offending material contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday heard that gardai were alerted to the existence of a video in a Dropbox account in Reilly's name by the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Detective Garda Dara McEvoy gave evidence of seizing a mobile phone during a search of the defendant's home on July 2, 2021. Det Garda McEvoy said no child pornographic imagery was detected on the device but gardaí were "extremely concerned" about the content and tone of a conversation between Reilly and another individual about young children in an exchange on WhatsApp. He told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that files in a Dropbox account belonging to the defendant could not be opened but two videos containing 'Category 1' child sex abuse material were subsequently found in it with the assistance of authorities in the US. Evidence was heard that one video contained a recording of children engaged in sexual activity while the other depicted a naked boy masturbating. Det Garda McEvoy agreed with Mr Kelly that the WhatsApp conversation in itself constituted an offence under the legislation but the court heard that no prosecution had been entered in relation to it. The court heard that Reilly had no other previous convictions apart from some road traffic offences from 20 years ago. Cross-examined by defence counsel, Barry White SC, Det Garda McEvoy said he was aware that the accused had complained to gardaí in the past about being sexually abused as a child. Det Garda McEvoy said he understood that a file on the complaint had been forwarded to the DPP who had directed that there should be no prosecution. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Mr White observed that the defendant felt a proper Garda investigation had never occurred into the matter. The barrister said Reilly's offence seemed to be "an endeavour to bring the matter into the open." Judge John Martin acknowledged that the offence related to a small amount of material when some similar cases involved hundreds of videos. He also accepted that Reilly had cooperated with gardaí and entered an early guilty plea, while there was no evidence he had engaged in the offending behaviour over any prolonged period. However, Judge Martin said he was somewhat concerned that Reilly was the father of two teenage girls given the nature of the offence who had also shown no empathy or remorse. The judge said he disagreed with the view of both the defendant and his wife, that it was a victimless crime. "Young people were exploited for the sexual pleasure of others," the judge remarked. "Innocent children were exploited by someone making money out of them." Judge Martin said Reilly's claim that he was not motivated by any sexual desire but was calculated to bring himself "into the spotlight" was "a difficult pill to swallow." The judge said it seemed like the defendant hoped he would be "rumbled" which he found difficult to rationalise. He observed that Reilly had a difficult childhood which no child should have to endure "no more than the children in the video you were watching." The judge said he had been assessed at a low risk of offending although a psychologist believed such an assessment was likely to underestimate the risk due to the defendant's "limited disclosure." Sentencing Reilly to 14 months in prison, Judge Martin suspended the final four months on condition that he places himself under the supervision of the Probation Service and complies with any directions given to him for a period of 12 months after his release from prison. Another charge relating to possession of the other video was taken into consideration. Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
The Journal
04-06-2025
- General
- The Journal
Man accused of stabbing on Eden Quay a 'serious risk to public safety', court hears
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago A 31-YEAR-OLD MAN accused of a severe knife 'slashing' attack in Dublin city centre on Monday, leaving an Algerian national in critical condition, 'poses a serious risk to public safety,' a court heard today. Adel Attal, also from Algeria but living in Ireland for two years and with an address on Henry Street, Mallow, Co Cork, was refused bail by Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court. He was charged with assault causing harm to the injured man at Rosie Hackett Bridge, Eden Quay, Dublin 1, and the production of a knife as a weapon during the incident on Monday afternoon. In evidence, Detective Garda Tom McEvoy of Store Street station said the accused gave no reply to the charges. The detective objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the case and his 'firm belief' that Mr Attal was a flight risk. The court heard that he has been living in State accommodation in Mallow. Detective Garda McEvoy told the court he thought the accused would evade justice if bail were granted as he had no ties to Ireland and previously resided in Algeria, England, Spain and France. The detective believed the accused had ties and could be 'harboured in these jurisdictions' if released on bail. Detective Garda McEvoy alleged that the injured man suffered serious slashing stab wounds to his stomach, back and legs. The court heard he had life-threatening injuries necessitating emergency surgery in hospital, where he was in critical condition. Advertisement Detective Garda McEvoy alleged that the incident happened at 4.40 pm when the victim and another male had an altercation on the bridge. Detective Garda McEvoy alleged that the accused was carrying a large knife and 'inflicted several slashing and stab motions' before the man fell to the ground. Witnesses called 999 and alerted gardai that the accused went to Wicklow Street, the contested bail hearing was told. The judge also heard gardai had harvested a large quantity of CCTV evidence clearly depicting the victim cut with the knife and the slashing. The court heard the weapon was thrown into the River Liffey, but a Garda sub-aqua unit located it on the river bed, and it will be sent for testing. 'Blood splatter' evidence was recovered from the accused and has been sent for forensic analysis. Mr Attal, who has yet to indicate a plea, did not address the court and listened to the proceedings with the aid of an Arabic interpreter. Questioned by defence solicitor Luke Staines, the detective accepted the accused could face two years on remand until his trial. He also agreed with Mr Staines that the injured man's condition had been changed to 'stable critical', and the solicitor posited that there was a chance he would survive. Mr Staines submitted that his client did not have a history of committing serious offences, as he pleaded with the judge to consider bail with strict conditions, including a cash lodgement and an independent surety. However, Judge Finan held that he was a flight risk, refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on June 11. She agreed to direct him to receive a medical and psychiatric assessment in custody. Legal aid was granted. A second man was arrested today and held for questioning.
