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Former garda tried to blame wife when caught with child sex abuse images

Family in court to support John McHugh (68) from Tralee who was jailed for 18 months with 12 suspended

Former Garda John McHugh. Photograph Kerry's Eye

Thu May 26 2022 - 14:10

A retired Co Kerry garda tried to blame his wife after he was caught in possession of sexual images of young children, a court has heard.

John McHugh, (68), of Ard na Lí, Tralee, has been jailed for 18 months with the final 12 months suspended and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

He was convicted by a jury on March 22nd at Tralee Circuit Court after pleading not guilty to knowingly possessing the material, which he downloaded and stored on a computer at his home, on dates between August 3rd, 2006 and May 28th, 2009.

Judge Pat Meghan said it would be “exceptionally difficult” for McHugh to go to prison as a former garda. He said McHugh “tried to blame his wife during his garda interviews, and during his trial” for the presence of the material.

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When gardaí called to his home with a search warrant, McHugh admitted searching online for “teen porn” but denied seeking out “child pornography”. McHugh went on to “deny his guilt” and also claimed that arresting gardaí had put him under “undue and “improper pressure” to make a statement admitting the offence - an allegation refuted by the force, the judge said.

McHugh’s barrister Andrew Sexton SC, said his client had “paid a high price” due to publicity around the case, but that his family were present in court to support him.

Sgt Tim O’Keeffe from Tralee station agreed with Mr Sexton that McHugh was deemed not to be a risk to children.

He said the material in the case was at the “lowest” range he had come across.

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