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A former security guard who accessed thousands of images of child sexual abuse has lived a “sad” life in social isolation for many years, a Dublin court has heard.
Owen Shannon (53) was found with almost 3,500 images and videos on various devices in his home of children as young as three years old who suffered sexual abuse, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.
Shannon, of Carrickhill Road, Portmarnock, Dublin, worked as a security guard for several years, but has primarily been a caregiver for his mother and, more recently, his father for most of his life.
He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography at his home on June 23, 2016. He has no prior convictions.
Garda Detective Brian Pentony told the court that the Gardaí were alerted to Shannon’s home address following a tip from Russian authorities.
Shannon opened the door and, when questioned by Gardaí, took them to his room and told them that he had been accessing child sexual abuse material. He admitted to gardaí that the footage would show girls as young as five being sexually abused by adult men.
Due to system delays, the material was only analyzed last year. Gardaí found a total of 3,437 images and 56 films on two laptops, a computer and a hard drive that had been seized.
Much of the material was at the most serious Category 1 level, which takes into account “the level of distress experienced by children,” said Elva Duffy BL, accuser. Some of the children depicted were as young as three years old.
Shannon first accessed the material in 2007, but its viewing increased in 2016, the court heard.
Defense attorney Gerardine Small BL said her client lives a “lonely and isolated life.” He has lived in the family home his entire life.
The court heard that Shannon began caring for her mother, who suffered from health problems, since she was a teenager. He was very close to her and “devastated” when she died, Small said.
He worked for several years as a security guard, but left to take full-time care of his father, who is currently in his 80s.
The attorney delivered a letter from Shannon in which he said he deeply regrets his actions. “He has remorse for his disgusting actions and realizes that every photo and video is of a victim who suffered terribly at the hands of people beyond evil,” said Ms. Small.
“He’s ashamed of himself. He will never have a good name again. “
Ms. Small said that Shannon had attended a therapy session and found it helpful, but did not have the means to pay for more sessions.
“Your personal circumstances are quite sad,” he said. “This man has experienced social isolation for an extended period. He has no interactions outside the home. “
Judge Melanie Greally ordered a report from the probation services to further investigate Shannon’s circumstances. She deferred the matter until March 2 of the next year for finalization.
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