A man has been sentenced to 10 years for distributing and possessing one of the largest collections of child pornography ever uncovered.
James Clarke (58), Devlis Cottage, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of knowingly distributing child pornography at Russell View Square, Tallaght, Dublin, in August 2010.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on August 20th, 2010.
The investigation also revealed that Clarke was in email contact with a woman about keeping her and her 14-year-old daughter as sex slaves.
The 133,563 images and 1,992 videos found on Clarke’s computer included pictures showing severe child sex abuse.
The child pornography was organised into computer folders by themes and individuals. Clarke was also using an internet site to offer the images to others.
Judge Patricia Ryan suspended two years of the term, on condition that he keeps the peace and is of good behaviour for three years on his release.
The sentence was backdated to when Clarke went into custody in January 2012. He was also placed on the sex offenders register.