Ray Corbally, a Dublin man convicted of possessing child pornography, successfully avoided a prison term. His barrister argued that the case mirrored rulings from the Court of Appeal, where similar offenses resulted in suspended sentences. Judge Patrick Quinn ultimately suspended Corbally's 18-month sentence for two years, citing exceptional circumstances and ordering Corbally to comply with probation and child safety programs.
A Dublin man convicted of possessing child pornography has avoided a prison sentence after his barrister highlighted how similar cases were treated by the Court of Appeal.
Ray Corbally (31) of Clonliffe Avenue, Ballybough, Dublin 3 pleaded guilty at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court last week to a charge of possessing child sex abuse material on computer equipment at an address in Ashford, Co Wicklow on August 11, 2021, contrary to Section 6 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. The offence related to 16 images that had been downloaded onto a Packard Bell laptop computer in the possession of the accused. The court heard that 12 of the images contained the most serious type of child sex abuse images. Judge Patrick Quinn imposed a sentence of 18 months on the defendant but suspended the final 12 months. Corbally had returned to the same court on Tuesday to present himself to the prison authorities to serve the six-month sentence imposed the previous week after being given a number of days to put his affairs in order. However, defence counsel, Edmund Sweetman BL, said he wished to draw the court’s attention to two rulings by the Court of Appeal in relation to similar cases including one where an IT worker who had pleaded guilty to the possession and production of large volumes of child abuse material, had the decision to fully suspend a two and a half year prison sentence imposed by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court upheld. The judgement had been appealed by the DPP on grounds of leniency. Mr Sweetman claimed Corbally had possession of a far lower number of images which had only been downloaded over a relatively short period of time before being deleted. The barrister said Corbally, who has no previous convictions, was “terrified of the prospect of going to prison.” He said the accused had learnt his lesson and was terrified about prison which would also affect the efforts he had made to rebuild his life. Counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, did not oppose the application as he acknowledged the judge was still at liberty to alter his ruling as Corbally had not formally entered into custody. “It is a matter for the discretion of the court,” said Mr Kelly. In light of the Court of Appeal ruling, Judge Quinn said it was perhaps a case where exceptional circumstances applied and where it meant it might be appropriate to fully suspend any prison sentence. The judge ruled that he would fully suspend the original 18-month sentence for a period of two years on grounds that Corbally kept the peace and did not come to Garda attention in that time. He also ordered the defendant to comply with a number of conditions including following all directions of the Probation Service and engaging with emotional coping services and any child safety plans directed by Tusla
Child Pornography Dublin Courthouse Sentencing Prison Appeal Court Judge Suspend Sentence Probation Child Safety
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man Jailed for 16 Years for Slashing Faces of Woman and Man in DublinJonathan Cummins, 38, was found guilty of intentionally causing serious harm and assault causing harm after attacking two people in separate incidents in Dublin city centre. He inflicted serious facial scarring on both victims.
Read more »
U2 Landscaper Avoids Jail for Punching Dublin Airport Worker UnconsciousMark McCabe, a landscaper who worked as a creative consultant for U2, was sentenced to a suspended term and ordered to pay compensation after knocking an airport worker unconscious in a dispute over a boarding pass.
Read more »
U2's Gardener Consultant Avoids Jail After Knocking Out Dublin Airport WorkerMark McCabe, a landscape gardener working as a creative consultant for U2, has avoided jail time for assaulting a Dublin Airport worker. McCabe pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after punching an airport staffer at gate 106 following a dispute over his boarding pass. The victim was knocked unconscious and sustained soft tissue injuries.
Read more »
Ex-Leicester City goalkeeper Conrad Logan avoids conviction for Dublin stag night brawlFormer footballer Conrad Logan has avoided a criminal conviction for his involvement in a brawl on his stag night in Dublin. He pleaded guilty to public order offences.
Read more »
Son of murdered man avoids jail sentence after he is caught trying to bury drugsHennessy was just a month shy of his eighteenth birthday at the time of his arrest
Read more »
Man avoids jail sentence for ‘intimidating’ Michael Healy-Rae during protestCourt told Dean Hickson (22) completed restorative justice scheme and never wants to attend another protest
Read more »