Education and Training official pleads guilty to child abuse material possession
Bernard Morley, 49, of Coolnakilly, Glenealy, Co Wicklow, was listed to go on trial before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court this week in relation to a charge for the possession of child pornography.
However, the accused's counsel, Ronan Kennedy SC, said his client could be arraigned during a sitting of the court on Tuesday when Mr Morley's name was called out.
Mr Morley, who works in the further education division of Kildare and Wicklow ETB, pleaded guilty to a single charge of possession of child abuse material contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.
The court heard the offence related to the possession of one video and three images on dates between January 22, 2023 and April 23, 2023.
Mr Kennedy said he wished to obtain a number of reports for his client in advance of a sentencing date.
Judge Patrick Quinn remanded the accused on continuing bail to October 8 when a date for a sentencing hearing will be fixed.
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He sentenced Burns to 18 months in prison for being carried in a stolen vehicle and six months for the trespass offence but suspended both sentences fully on condition she places herself under the supervision of the Probation Service for a period of two years. Addressing Burns, the judge remarked: 'You got in with a bad lot and they have brought you down.' He also observed that she might not be in court if she had been in the stolen vehicle with Melia after he drove away. On her relationship with her co-accused, he advised: 'Maybe you could do better for yourself.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
