Cork man, 43, pleads guilty to possession of child sexual assault images and videos

Defendant, who possessed 53 images and 19 videos, will be sentenced at Cork Circuit Criminal Court

The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level and it should be dealt with at Cork Circuit Criminal Court by way of a trial or a signed plea of guilty. Picture: Larry Cummins

Images and videos of child pornography were seized at the home of a 43-year-old man in Cork more than three years ago.

On Monday at Cork District Court, the accused signed a plea of guilty to the single charge against him.

Gary Coughlan was charged by Detective Garda Brendan Murray that on February 15, 2023, at his home in Chestnut Meadow, Glynntown, Glanmire, Co Cork, he did knowingly have in his possession child pornography, namely 53 images and 19 videos containing child pornography.

The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level and it should be dealt with at Cork Circuit Criminal Court by way of a trial or a signed plea of guilty.

Now at Cork District Court, the accused man signed a plea of guilty to the single charge. On the application of Sergeant David Fleming, Judge David Waters then sent the case forward for sentencing at the next sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on October 27.

It will be a matter for that court to set a date for the sentencing hearing. So far, no details of the allegations in the case have been given in court. It is anticipated this will be done when the matter comes up for sentencing.

Defence solicitor Killian McCarthy asked for free legal aid to be extended to pay for a barrister to also represent Gary Coughlan at the circuit court.