Garda charged with possession of 655 images of child sexual abuse

A serving member of An Garda Síochana has appeared in court charged with possession of more than 650 images and video clips of child sexual abuse.

The Garda, who has more than 30 years service in the force, cannot be named after Dublin District Court imposed reporting restrictions preventing the suspect from being identified.

He appeared before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown court house, his second appearance before the courts on the charge. His first appearance went unnoticed by the media.

The garda, who is based at a Dublin station and lives in the Leinster area, is charged with possession of 655 images and video clips of children being sexually abused.

The charges relate to possessing the images at an address than cannot be disclosed because of the reporting restrictions, between July 30th and August 2nd, 2011.

He has been suspended from duty and is still in receipt of his Garda salary.

The court heard he had a mortgage and was struggling financially, with Judge McHugh granting a request from the suspect's solicitor Dara Robinson for free legal aid.

The garda was remanded on continuing bail, with the reporting restrictions from his first appearance extended. He will appear before the court again next month.