Garda ‘subject of complaint by man from gay website’

A GARDA on trial for possession of images of child abuse had a complaint of a sexual nature made against him by a man he met for sex before his arrest, a court heard.

Joseph O’Connor, 58, from west Dublin has pleaded not guilty to five counts of possession of child pornography at his home on dates between July 30 and August 2 in 2011.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard that videos found on a laptop on August 2 showed boys under the age of ten.

Garda Sergeant Kevin Menchen told the court that the day before the search of Mr O’Connor’s home, the man rang Inspector Colm Fox, now deceased, to say he had heard there were allegations being made about him. Mr O’Connor presented himself at Blanchardstown Garda station to make a voluntary witness statement.

The court heard the defendant said he used a gay site to initiate contact with a man called Patryk Farrell. Mr Farrell went to Mr O’Connor’s home and spent the night there.

Mr O’Connor told Sergeant Menchen the next morning he heard the front door slam, went downstairs and saw his laptop was closed over and €20 was missing, the court heard. His Garda ID was also gone. He got into his car, drove around and found Mr Farrell. He searched him and found his badge and handcuffs and €20, the jury heard.

The jury heard Mr Farrell came back into the city centre, was worse for wear and collapsed. Counsel said there were complaints of a sexual nature, which the Garda Ombudsman took up but they were withdrawn. The trial continues.