Man arrested at Dublin Airport on way to US comic con accused of having anime child sex abuse images

The shop cashier, who had been travelling to New York for a Comic con event, was arrested by Homeland Security in a 'random stop' at Terminal 2

The UK national, Finley Bowd, was granted bail. Photo: Tom Tuite

A young man travelling to a comic book convention in the United States was stopped by Homeland Security at Dublin Airport with child sex abuse animation images, a court has heard.

Twenty-one-year-old Finley Bowd of Harbour View Close, Brixham, Devon, England, was arrested at Terminal 2 on Wednesday.

He appeared before Judge John Brennan at Dublin District Court on Thursday, where Detective Garda Rebecca Doyle said that the man made “no reply” when charged with two offences under section 6.1 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.

The shop cashier, who had been travelling to New York for a Comic con event, was arrested and had his phone seized. He is accused of possessing anime images of child sexual abuse and having category three child sex abuse anime images.

Bail hearing

Judge Brennan noted the involvement of Homeland Security, the US federal agency. He has not yet formally entered a plea and was remanded on €400 bail to appear again on November 6 next for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Initially objecting to bail, because the accused was a UK national and a flight risk, she agreed to bail terms following exchanges with defence barrister Paddy Flynn.

Detective Garda Doyle agreed with him that his client was making his way to a flight to New York and there was a “random stop” at Terminal 2.

The detective also accepted that Mr Bowd was co-operative. Contact has been made with a family member, and gardaí made enquiries with the UK, establishing he has not come to police attention.

Mr Flynn stated that his client’s mother would provide support, and he could be reached on her phone. The barrister also stressed that he would return to Ireland for court dates.

Counsel said the accused was of limited means but had €400 on him, which the judge held could be used as his bail money and warned that he must provide a new phone number and until then be contactable on his mother’s phone.

Describing the case as involving “difficult charges”, Mr Flynn’s application for legal aid, on behalf of his client, was granted.