Former islander to be sentenced next week for child pornogaphy

HUNDREDS of images and movie clips showing graphic scenes of child pornography were found on the laptop of a 76-year-old former resident of Clare Island when gardai visited his home, a court heard today.

Judge Rory MacCabe was told at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court that the pornographic images found on a laptop belonging to James Woods, Cappanagower, The Harbour, Clare Island, were at the upper end of the spectrum as regards seriousness.

Woods, who has since left Clare Island and lives in Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to the possession and distribution of child pornography.

The judge put back sentencing until Thursday next, stating he needs to do some homework' on what the appropriate sentence should be.

So graphic was the material seized that none of the images or movie clips were shown in open court. They were viewed privately by Judge MacCabe in his chamber.

The judge was joined in the viewing by counsel for the State and the defence as well as a press representative.

Pleading for leniency, Mr. Diarmuid Connolly, counsel, said the defendant had suffered a “spectacular and total fall from grace” in his community and he was now exiled not just from the island but from Co. Mayo.

“The shame of what he has done has driven him from the island never to return there," counsel stated.

Mr. Connolly said that Woods had suffered abuse as a child and had gone onto the dark side of the internet in an effort to gain some understanding of the mind of abusers.

Fnancial gain was not the motive, Mr. Connolly insisted, and his client was “totally remorseful” for his actions.