Navan man found in possession of child abuse videos that judge says 'are at best horrific'

A father of three was found with 12 videos of child abuse material which a Trim Circuit Court Judge said “are at best horrific”.

Wayne McCullagh (44), from Leighbrook Lodge Railway street Navan was charged with possession of child abuse material, also referred to as child pornography.

Detective Garda Shane Curran told the court on 18th September 2023 at Bothar Sion Johnstown navan Gardai on patrol saw Mr McCullagh driving in the area. When the accused noticed gardai he was seen placing something placed down his trousers. He was searched under the misuse of drugs act and a number of items were seized including a Nokia phone.

The phone was analysed and found to contain 12 videos. These showed young boys and girls doing sexual acts with adult males and females. Some of the children were shown to be extremely distressed.

Judge John Martin said “the details of the 12 videos outlined to the court are at best horrific”.

The court heard a chat file was also found which relates to a four day conversation between Mr McCullagh and another male discussing sexual intercourse with young children that both parties like. Judge Martin noted how the accused is a father himself to three children and that at least one of his children was mentioned in this chat.

The accused was interviewed where he accepted ownership of the phone but refused to comment on the videos or chat file. He later pleaded guilty in the courts.

The accused has 30 previous convictions, half of which are for drug offences and three for assault causing harm. He is currently serving a prison sentence for two counts of assault causing harm, threats to cause criminal damage, possession of drugs, and possession of drugs for sale and supply with a release date of 17th September this year.

Previously on 26th February 2016 he was given an eight year sentence with two years suspended for the possession of heroin valued at €37,000 and a small amount of cocaine. He is to be sent to Cork Circuit Court on its next available sitting for a S99 re-entry which may reactivate some or all of his suspended sentence.

Defending barrister Niall Gallagher told the court his client was a victim of sexual abuse when he was ten years old. When others found out about this he was bullied and sold drugs to get in with people to deal with this issue.

Mr McCullagh was given a two year prison sentence to begin when his current sentence finishes and he will be on the sex offender registry for 10 years.