Navan man had over 100 images and videos of child abuse material

A Navan man found with 104 images and videos of child sexual abuse imagery was previously deported from Canada for child luring, Trim Court heard.

This was mentioned during the sentencing of John Casey (45), from 21 Hillview Navan who pleaded guilty to possession of child abuse material, also referred to as child pornography.

Mr Casey was previously given a nine month prison sentence in Canada for attempting to groom or contact a male under the age of 16 and was deported from the country. He later changed his surname after this conviction.

Detective Garda Jaime McKeown told the court an investigation began after Gardaí were notified of an Instagram page uploading and sharing child abusive material on 28th November 2021 and 16th May 2022.

This led to a search being executed at Mr Casey’s address on 7th September 2022 where two phones and a tablet were seized. A total of 91 images and 13 videos of girls aged between 10 and 17 years old posing, engaging in sexual acts alone or with males, females or animals.

The accused was arrested in November 2024 and interviewed at Navan Garda station where he maintained no comment in regards to the images. He pleaded guilty in court in February 2026.

Judge John Martin noted how his previous conviction in Canada "doesn't seem to have deterred you”.

Judge Martin also said the content of the child abuse material is “as base as it gets to be personally honest with you”.

Defending barrister Paul Noctor told the court his client suffers from a serious car accident that happened when he was four years old that left him with a speech impediment. This affected his confidence and ability to gain employment.

Bl Noctor told the court Casey is “a very lonely man,” who is suffering from depression and is currently on medication. The defending barrister said his client has an unhealthy addiction to pornography and realises now it is not a victimless crime. He has since installed blocks on his phone to stop him from downloading porn of any type and is making attempts to cure his addiction.

Mr Casey was sentenced to two and a half years in prison with an additional six months suspended for 12 months and he will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.