JOHN MARKEY FROM CO MEATH SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN NAVAN

In March 2004, a man named John Markey from Blackcastle Avenue, Navan, Co Meath, was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to possessing a significant collection of over 100 disturbing images of child pornography. The images included highly graphic and disturbing depictions of young girls being subjected to sexual abuse in various horrific ways, some involving animals and adult men.

Judge John Brophy, presiding over the case at Navan District Court, described the proceedings as among the most challenging he had encountered in his judicial career. He drew a stark comparison to the infamous Marc Dutroux case in Belgium, emphasizing the severity and depravity of the material involved.

John Markey, aged 34, was charged under the Child and Pornography Act 1998, with the court hearing that he had downloaded and stored these images on his computer. The guilty plea was entered in December 2002. The judge revealed that some of the images depicted children as young as four years old in various sexual acts, including acts involving bestiality and attempted rape. Judge Brophy expressed his profound disgust, stating that some images involved abuse by dogs and adult men, which he found to be 'physically illening.'

During the court proceedings, the judge described the images as 'revolting, disgusting, and degrading' for the children involved. He highlighted the disturbing nature of the material, which included scenes of rape, attempted rape, and bestiality, emphasizing the profound harm inflicted on the victims.

The case was linked to Operation Amethyst, a police initiative targeting online child exploitation. Markey was arrested on May 27, 2002, during a raid on his home. Evidence indicated that he used his credit card to purchase and download still images and movies from the internet.

Psychologist Davina Walsh, who had treated Markey at the Granada Institute over an 11-month program, provided testimony. Although she admitted she had not personally viewed the images, she described him as a 'low risk offender' with no current interest in abusing children.

Defense lawyer Pat Reilly argued that Markey’s life had been significantly impacted by the case, noting that he had lost a €50,000 job and had to relocate to Dublin. Reilly acknowledged his client’s guilt and stated that Markey had made efforts to address his behavior.

However, Judge Brophy rejected any plea for leniency, asserting that anyone who would give their credit card details and download such material could only be classified as a paedophile. The judge described the images as so disturbing that they caused him physical sickness, emphasizing the case’s gravity.

He expressed his personal revulsion, stating, 'I felt sickened and revolted. You do not look at a little four or five-year-old girl with a giant mastiff attempting to have sex with her. That is out of the norm.'

Judge Brophy also voiced concern about recent research indicating that 30% of active paedophiles on the internet might attempt to re-enact the images they viewed in real life. He reflected that he should have refused jurisdiction and referred the case to a higher authority.

As part of his sentence, Markey was ordered to serve six months in prison. Additionally, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for three years and was subject to ongoing supervision to prevent further offenses. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such crimes are treated and the profound impact on the victims and society at large.