A MAN who admitted having cartoons of adults sexually abusing with children on his mobile phone received a fully suspended one-year jail sentence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
The man, aged in his 20s, with an address in Limerick, appeared before the court on a signed guilty plea from Limerick District Court, which meant no jury or book of evidence was required.
More than 1,500 images, as well as videos of illegal anime porn depicting children as young as four years of age were found by Gardaí on the man’s mobile phone.
Gardaí attached to the Limerick Garda Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) – which investigates sex crimes – received a confidential tip off relating to the man’s online activity.
Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by Limerick City State Solicitor, Padraig Mawe, summarised the facts with assistance from a DPSU garda.
Mr O’Sullivan said the material found on the man’s mobile phone in 2019 included “computer generated”, “animated”, or “anime cartoons” of “children depicted in sexual acts” with adults.
The videos depicted CGI anime images and videos of men and women engaged in sex acts with boys and girls aged between four and 12.
The man’s phone contained 1,507 illegal files of “anime CGI cartoons”, said Mr O’Sullivan.
After Gardaí arrived at the man’s home to conduct a search of the property, he immediately “took ownership” of the illegal material found and accepted “responsibility” for it, said Mr O’Sullivan.
The man admitted to Gardaí that he developed an interest in “anime porn” while viewing “Japanese anime”, and the court heard he no longer had an interest in it.
“He said he looked at anime (porn) as he didn’t know it was illegal. He said that after he searched for it, he was very stressed and very depressed,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
The prosecuting barrister said the man later “acknowledged it was child pornography” in interviews with Gardaí.
Defence barrister, Yvonne Quinn BL, said the man was “completely cooperative” with the Garda investigation, and he had not attempted to hide that he had searched for the material on “open source” search engines.
“He was a teenager when he first started. He said he didn’t believe it was real and that he didn’t think it was illegal — but he now realises it is,” said Ms Quinn.
“He pleaded guilty very early on, he is deeply ashamed and remorseful. At the time he didn’t feel his behaviour was harmful. It was escapist entertainment, a coping strategy throughout his teens. He has insight into it now.”
Ms Quinn said the man’s mother was present in court to support him, and that the man had “recently purchased a home with his full-time partner”.
“He has made extensive improvements in his life and his partner is aware of his background.”
Ms Quinn said a probation report found the man’s attitude was “not a cause for concern” and “he no longer requires further assessment”.
Seeking leniency, Ms Quinn said: “He has completed his studies and is in a stable relationship. He does not appear to have any sexual interest that is a cause for concern.”
Imposing a one-year fully suspended sentence, Judge Colin Daly also ordered that the man be added to a national database of sex offenders.
The judge also ordered that the State would forfeit and destroy the illegal content found on the man’s phone.