Latest news with #JohnSweeney
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man caught with haul of child abuse and anime images narrowly avoids jail
A Co Donegal man caught with a haul of child sex abuse and anime images on a computer hard-drive at his home has avoided going to jail. John Sweeney, 60, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to possession of the images when his house at Dore, Bunbeg was raided by Gardai on July 24, 2019. Detective Garda Enda Jennings and Michelle Kelly were acting on information forwarded by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. It followed information they received that a user had uploaded child pornography from an Eircom internet account. The account was traced to John Sweeney whose Eircom account had been activated on April 11, 2014. Gardai visited the house and seized three mobile phones as well as a hard-drive. All the images including a total of 139 child abuse images and 94 anime images were found on the computer hard-drive. Sweeney was arrested, taken to Milford Garda Station and made full admissions. Detective Garda Enda Jennings told the court that the accused man had cooperated and told Gardai he had been going through a difficult time and was drinking heavily at the time. The court was further told that Sweeney lived alone at the address and had no previous convictions. Barrister for the accused, Ms Patricia McLaughlin, SC, said her client had given all his PIN numbers to Gardai and had cooperated fully and made admissions at the scene. However, because of a backlog in investigating such cases around the country at the time, it wasn't until November 2023 that a plea could be made. A number of the One in Four counselling service was given to Sweeney and he went about getting counselling during that time. Ms McLaughlin said it was not the case that her client shared any of the images and had no great sophisticated knowledge of computers but was accessing adult pornography over a period of time. Child pornography then began to pop up and the accused man then developed some curiosity on this, Ms McLaughlin added. Sweeney had been in a relationship for several years but this ended and he began to drink and this led to a deterioration in his mental health. He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2015 but had recovered from this and he had a good work history up until this and had no previous convictions. A probation report dated May 29, 2025, said Sweeney was of a low risk of reoffending but there were some concerns for him because of his isolation and that he has limited support within the community. The report said Sweeney had been spending hours online going down a rabbit hole of adult pornography and then further material at a time when he was leading a chaotic lifestyle, suffering from emotional distress and abusing alcohol. However, the probation service also noted that he has expressed remorse and is aware that the images are wrong and was happy to go under the supervision of the probation services. Community service was not recommended for Sweeney because of his medical issues but he continues to go down the path of counselling, the probation report added. Ms McLaughlin added that Sweeney is a man of previous good character who has had the offence hanging over him for the past five years, that he lives in a small, local community and that he has taken steps towards rehabilitation. She asked Judge John Aylmer to consider dealing with the offence by way of a non-custodial sentence considering the overall amount of images, the amount of time the accused man had the images in his possession which was estimated to be two months and how he came upon the images. She said her client had had an "unsophisticated fall into child porn." Judge Aylmer said that on the very early plea and the number of images involved, he placed the offence at the lower end of the scale and one which merited a sentence of two years before mitigation. In mitigation, the Judge said Sweeney had no previous convictions, had cooperated fully with Gardai and had entered an early plea. He also noted that five years had elapsed since his arrest and appearing in court, that the case had been hanging over Sweeney, that he had availed of rehab and that he was assessed as being of a low risk of reoffending. For all of these factors as well as his remorse and shame, Judge Aylmer reduced the sentence to one of 18 months in prison. He added that the question then arises that if the court might suspend all or part of that sentence and that he accepted the advance by Sweeney's barrister, Ms McLaughlin, that there were similarities to another case, the McGinty case. Ms McLaughlin said that it was similar in many ways to the McGinty case because of the cooperation, the lack of previous convictions, the low risk of reoffending, the engagement in rehab as well as the fact that the case has hung over the accused for so long. Judge Aylmer agreed that this was one of those unusual cases where the court can suspend the entirety of the 18 months sentence and ordered Sweeney to go under the supervision of the probation services.
Irish Times
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Man caught with child sex abuse and anime images on hard-drive avoids jail
A Co Donegal man caught with child sex abuse and anime images on a hard-drive has avoided jail. John Sweeney (60) appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to possession of the images when his house at Dore, Bunbeg was raided by gardaí on July 24th, 2019. Det Garda Enda Jennings and Michelle Kelly were acting on information forwarded by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. It followed information they received that a user had uploaded child pornography from an internet account traced to Sweeney. READ MORE Gardaí visited the house and seized three mobile phones and a hard-drive. All the images, including a total of 139 child abuse images and 94 anime images – a style of Japanese film and TV animation – were found on the hard-drive. He was arrested and taken to Milford Garda station where he co-operated and told gardaí he had been going through a difficult time and was drinking heavily. The court heard Sweeney lived alone and had no previous convictions. However, because of a backlog in investigating such cases around the country at the time, it wasn't until November 2023 that a plea could be made. A number for the One in Four counselling service was given to Sweeney and he went about getting counselling. Barrister for the accused, Patricia McLaughlin, SC McLaughlin said it was not the case that her client shared any of the images and had no great sophisticated knowledge of computers but was accessing adult pornography over a period of time. Child pornography then began to pop up and he developed some curiosity on this, saying her client had an 'unsophisticated fall' into it. A probation service report dated May 29th, 2025, said he was at a low risk of reoffending and noted he has expressed remorse and is aware the images are wrong and was happy to go under the supervision of the service. Ms McLaughlin asked Judge John Aylmer to consider dealing with the offence by way of a non-custodial sentence considering the overall amount of images, the amount of time the accused man had them in his possession – estimated to be two months – and how he came upon the images. Judge Aylmer said on the very early plea and the number of images involved, he placed the offence at the lower end of the scale and one which merited a sentence of two years before mitigation. In mitigation, the judge said Sweeney had no previous convictions, had co-operated fully with gardaí and had entered an early plea. He reduced the sentence to 18 months in prison and accepted the advance by Ms McLaughlin, that there were similarities to another case, the McGinty case. He agreed that this was one of those unusual cases where the court can suspend the entirety of the 18-month sentence and ordered Sweeney to go under the supervision of the probation services.
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Health
- Sunday World
Man caught with haul of child sex abuse images on hard-drive avoids jail
John Sweeney, 60, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to possession of the images when his house at Dore, Bunbeg was raided by Gardai on July 24th, 2019 A Co Donegal man caught with a haul of child sex abuse and anime images on a computer hard-drive at his home has avoided going to jail. John Sweeney, 60, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to possession of the images when his house at Dore, Bunbeg was raided by Gardai on July 24th, 2019. Detective Garda Enda Jennings and Michelle Kelly were acting on information forwarded by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. It followed information they received that a user had uploaded child pornography from an Eircom internet account. The account was traced to John Sweeney whose Eircom account had been activated on April 11th, 2014. Gardai visited the house and seized three mobile phones as well as a hard-drive. All the images including a total of 139 child abuse images and 94 anime images were found on the computer hard-drive. Sweeney was arrested, taken to Milford Garda Station and made full admissions. Detective Garda Enda Jennings told the court that the accused man had cooperated and told Gardai he had been going through a difficult time and was drinking heavily at the time. The court was further told that Sweeney lived alone at the address and had no previous convictions. Barrister for the accused, Ms Patricia McLaughlin, SC, said her client had given all his PIN numbers to Gardai and had cooperated fully and made admissions at the scene. However, because of a backlog in investigating such cases around the country at the time, it wasn't until November 2023 that a plea could be made. A number of the One in Four counselling service was given to Sweeney and he went about getting counselling during that time. Ms McLaughlin said it was not the case that her client shared any of the images and had no great sophisticated knowledge of computers but was accessing adult pornography over a period of time. Child pornography then began to pop up and the accused man then developed some curiosity on this, Ms McLaughlin added. John Sweeney leaving Letterkenny Circuit Court. (North West Newspix) News in 90 June 4th Sweeney had been in a relationship for several years but this ended and he began to drink and this led to a deterioration in his mental health. He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2015 but had recovered from this and he had a good work history up until this and had no previous convictions. A probation report dated May 29th, 2025, said Sweeney was of a low risk of reoffending but there were some concerns for him because of his isolation and that he has limited support within the community. The report said Sweeney had been spending hours online going down a rabbit hole of adult pornography and then further material at a time when he was leading a chaotic lifestyle, suffering from emotional distress and abusing alcohol. However, the probation service also noted that he has expressed remorse and is aware that the images are wrong and was happy to go under the supervision of the probation services. Community service was not recommended for Sweeney because of his medical issues but he continues to go down the path of counselling, the probation report added. Ms McLaughlin added that Sweeney is a man of previous good character who has had the offence hanging over him for the past five years, that he lives in a small, local community and that he has taken steps towards rehabilitation. She asked Judge John Aylmer to consider dealing with the offence by way of a non-custodial sentence considering the overall amount of images, the amount of time the accused man had the images in his possession which was estimated to be two months and how he came upon the images. She said her client had had an "unsophisticated fall into child porn." Judge Aylmer said that on the very early plea and the number of images involved, he placed the offence at the lower end of the scale and one which merited a sentence of two years before mitigation. In mitigation, the Judge said Sweeney had no previous convictions, had cooperated fully with Gardai and had entered an early plea. He also noted that five years had elapsed since his arrest and appearing in court, that the case had been hanging over Sweeney, that he had availed of rehab and that he was assessed as being of a low risk of reoffending. For all of these factors as well as his remorse and shame, Judge Aylmer reduced the sentence to one of 18 months in prison. He added that the question then arises that if the court might suspend all or part of that sentence and that he accepted the advance by Sweeney's barrister, Ms McLaughlin, that there were similarities to another case, the McGinty case. Ms McLaughlin said that it was similar in many ways to the McGinty case because of the cooperation, the lack of previous convictions, the low risk of reoffending, the engagement in rehab as well as the fact that the case has hung over the accused for so long. Judge Aylmer agreed that this was one of those unusual cases where the court can suspend the entirety of the 18 months sentence and ordered Sweeney to go under the supervision of the probation services.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Glendale fatal shooting; 34-year-old man charged with reckless homicide
The Brief A Glendale man is accused of fatally shooting another man outside his home on Sunday, May 18. John Sweeney is now charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the case. The victim was the boyfriend of a tenant in Sweeney's Glendale house, court filings indicate. GLENDALE, Wis. - A 34-year-old Glendale man is accused of fatally shooting another man on N. Iroquois Avenue on Sunday, May 18. John Sweeney is charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the case. What we know According to the criminal complaint, Glendale police were dispatched on Sunday, May 18 to a "shots fired" call on N. Iroquois Avenue -- which is near the intersection of Silver Spring and Port Washington Road. A 911 caller indicated someone was shot. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android When officers arrived on the scene, a person waved them down and said, "He's dying." An officer then noticed the defendant, John Sweeney, exit the house nearby with his hands raised. The first person told police Sweeney was the shooter. When an officer asked the defendant if he was the shooter, the "defendant replied, 'Yes, he came into my garage and started punching me. I had no choice.' The defendant also informed police that the weapon was inside the house," the complaint says. The defendant was then taken into custody. Officers located the victim of the shooting, identified as Andrew Martin. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. What we know During the scene investigation, a detective located "seven 9mm Luger shell casings on the driveway and in the garage. Martin's body was lying within feet of the garage door, which was open," the complaint says. Inside the defendant's house, police recovered a black 9mm handgun. Police questioned the first person they met when arriving on the scene -- a woman who was a tenant of the defendant. She told investigators her boyfriend, Martin, had come to the house the night prior because "he was intoxicated and she did not want him driving home," the complaint says. The woman said the defendant did not like Martin. The next morning, the complaint indicates Sweeney stomped on the floor in the house and "was mad that Martin was at the house and that Martin parked the defendant in." Martin eventually came outside and the two men argued. The complaint says the defendant pulled out a handgun and fired it at that point, and Martin left in his vehicle. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Later in the day, Martin was back at the defendant's residence. The woman indicated the two men were "having a conversation that began to escalate. (The woman) heard Martin's voice 'get higher' and then heard 3 gunshots," the complaint says. When the woman ran towards the garage, she described that the defendant and Martin were fighting. When she ran to get her phone to call 911, the complaint says "she heard another 3 gunshots but stated she was not in a position to see these gunshots." The woman later found Martin on the ground and the defendant go into the house. What they're saying When police conducted an interview with the defendant, he "stated that when Martin arrived (the second time), Martin and the defendant argued about the rules for the house and then Martin 'started coming closer' to the defendant and the defendant 'sensed' that Martin was going to do something," the complaint says. Sweeney stated Martin was "punching him in the head" when he reached for his weapon and pulled the trigger. What's next Sweeney was scheduled to make his initial appearance in Milwaukee County court on Friday, May 23. The Source The information in this post was provided by Wisconsin Circuit Court Access as well as the criminal complaint associated with this case.
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Labour hit out as free bus transport axed for most vulnerable pupils in North Ayrshire
Anger at removal of free transport for vulnerable pupils Funded school transport is being withdrawn for some of the most vulnerable children in North Ayrshire due to a 'cruel decision', say North Ayrshire Labour. Parents and carers of pupils attending Stevenston's Lockhart Campus, the community's dedicated ASN (Additional Support Needs) school, have been left devastated after being informed that funded school transport will be withdrawn for some children. For the first time, the SNP-led North Ayrshire Council have decided to apply the standard two-mile eligibility limit for school transport to pupils at the ASN school - a move that will leave many children with additional needs without vital transport support. Now the Labour opposition will battle to have the decision reversed. Labour cllr for Stevenston and Saltcoats, John Sweeney, immediately challenged the decision upon hearing the news earlier this week. Responding to the council's position that: 'having an additional need in and of itself does not automatically entitle someone to funded school transport', Councillor Sweeney said: 'This decision is utterly disgraceful. To remove transport from some of our most vulnerable young people without even a vote is beyond unacceptable. 'Lockhart Campus was specifically designed to support children with complex needs - many of whom cannot walk long distances or travel independently. I will fight this cruel decision every step of the way on behalf of affected families.' Ward colleague, councillor Jim Montgomerie, also expressed his anger at the move and commented: 'It beggars belief that the council would target children with disabilities in a cost-cutting exercise. The SNP have already joined forces with the Tories to cut school crossing patrols and teacher numbers in the recent budget. "Now they're attacking the transport rights of our ASN children. Enough is enough, Labour will not stand for it.' This decision comes amid growing concern from residents and parents over a series of cuts introduced by North Ayrshire's SNP administration. Local Labour councillors have pledged to fight to have the transport decision overturned and to stand up for the rights of ASN pupils and their families. A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: 'We are extremely sympathetic to the needs of all our pupils and particularly those who are most disadvantaged. 'This is reflected in our transport provision which is more favourable than the statutory regulations in place. Overall, we invest significantly more per pupil in the education of our learners than elsewhere in Scotland. "Our most recent transport policy – which can be viewed here – was approved in 2021 and there has been no change to it. 'Schools follow this framework and guidelines but can put additional measures in place to help where possible. 'Establishments are currently undertaking their annual review of transport to ensure appropriate provision is in place for August 2025. 'The distance criteria is applicable to all learners however, as stated within our guidance, those with additional needs will always be considered for transport on a case-by-case basis. 'Families who have concerns about their child's transport should contact their establishment in the first instance.'
