BARRY WATTERS FROM DUBLIN AND DUNDALK EXPOSES HIMSELF TO CHILDREN AND POSSESSES CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In a disturbing series of incidents spanning several years, Barry Watters, a man originally from Dundalk and residing in Dublin, has been linked to multiple offenses involving child sexual abuse images and indecency towards minors. The case, which has garnered significant attention from law enforcement and the public alike, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing individuals with a history of such offenses.

According to court records, Watters, aged 42 at the time, was involved in repeated acts of exposing himself to children on their way to school in Dublin. These incidents occurred over a period, raising alarm among parents and local residents. Law enforcement officials, known as Gardaí, eventually identified Watters entering an internet café in Dublin, where they observed his online activity remotely. It was during this surveillance that they discovered he was viewing child abuse images, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges.

Watters pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of indecency committed in Dublin in December 2014. Additionally, he admitted to possessing child abuse images at Middle Abbey Street on October 20, 2016. His criminal record is extensive, with six previous convictions primarily related to possession of child images over the past decade. One of these convictions involved criminal damage, specifically for soiling a cell at a Garda station, indicating a pattern of troubling behavior.

Formerly residing on Infirmary Road in Dublin, Watters is also known to have roots in Dundalk, County Louth. The court heard that he was remanded in custody by Judge Martina Baxter, who emphasized the importance of community protection. She ordered a psychological assessment to be conducted before sentencing, scheduled for December 3, to evaluate the risk he might pose if released back into society. The judge acknowledged that while Watters would eventually need to be released, measures must be in place to safeguard the community.

Legal representatives for Watters presented a mitigation plea, arguing that his offenses stemmed from an addiction exacerbated by personal crises. They noted that Gardaí had not previously come into contact with him until around ten years ago, when he was 32. His life reportedly spiraled out of control after 2008, with media reports highlighting his homelessness and unstable living conditions. These factors, coupled with his addiction, contributed to his ongoing criminal behavior.

In 2013, Watters was reported to be freely walking the streets of Dublin, despite his criminal history. At that time, he was 34 years old and was seen enjoying his freedom in the city center, wearing tight-fitting shorts. His criminal record includes a conviction in 2007 for possessing a horrific collection of child pornography, which was uncovered during an FBI investigation. Despite receiving a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence in April 2008, he was caught again within 11 months, this time with thousands of sick images of children.

His repeated offenses led to a three-year prison sentence last year, after he was caught with more vile images of children being abused. By then, he was already serving a suspended sentence for previous offenses. Following his release from Arbour Hill Prison earlier this year, Watters was living in a halfway house in Dublin city center, located dangerously close to a primary school. A resident of the area expressed shock and concern, stating, “He shouldn’t be in here, this is a mixed centre. Some of the women are very afraid.”

When approached by the media, Watters declined to comment on his crimes, simply stating, “No comment.” His criminal activities first came to light during Interpol’s ‘Operation Iron,’ which targets the distribution of child pornography. During this investigation, authorities found his credit card details along with 70 others from Ireland, linking him to the illegal trade.

In 2008, Watters was sentenced to two and a half years, suspended for three, after being caught with a collection of child abuse images. However, within a year, he was again found in possession of more disturbing material. Witnesses have reported seeing him viewing pornographic images on a digital camera while traveling on a bus from Dublin to Dundalk, which led to Gardaí conducting a search of his residence. During the search, officers discovered 161 printed photos from a camera memory card hidden in his jacket. Throughout the investigation, Watters had to be restrained multiple times due to his agitation.

In court, Watters admitted to possessing child pornography and expressed remorse for his actions. He also acknowledged that he suffers from a chronic addiction to child porn, which he has struggled to control. It is believed that he has participated in the Arbour Hill Sexual Offenders Treatment Programme, aiming to address his behavior and prevent future offenses. The case continues to unfold as authorities and mental health professionals work to determine appropriate sentencing and community safety measures.