A Midlands man in his 60s has appeared in court today facing 90 charges relating to the possession and production of child sexual abuse material, false imprisonment, sexual assault and sexual exploitation of four children over the course of 2021 and 2022. The man, who cannot be named due to the nature of the charges, was arrested and charged by Detective Garda Brendan Lynn last night and appeared before Longford District Court this afternoon.
Among the 90 charges were two counts of false imprisonment in a charity shop and five for sexual exploitation, with some of those incidents occurring in a Men's Shed facility. A total of 81 charges relate to the alleged sexual assault of underage girls.
He was also charged with the possession of 32 images of child sexual abuse material and faces a separate charge of producing child pornography by recording 30 images of himself sexually assaulting a female child using his phone. A cash lodgement of €500 was paid and independent surety was approved by the court. The man was admitted to bail on the condition that he reside at the address on the charge sheets and notify Gardaí should he seek to change address.
He is to be contactable 24/7 and must sign on three times a week at his local Garda station. He must also surrender his passport and has been ordered not to contact seven named people either directly or indirectly.
The man is due to reappear on April 4, when it is hoped a book of evidence will be served.
