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A trainee Montessori teacher who sexually assaulted and took pornographic pictures of a 4-year-old child in his care has been jailed for 5 years.
The court heard the child, who has special needs, was afraid to go back to the specialised playschool she attended. She told her mother that Kevin Muldoon (32) had taken photos of her “bum” and “pants”.
Gardaí later discovered 46 images of the girl sent from the man’s phone to his email address, including photos of her private parts and of him with his finger in her mouth.
Muldoon, of Rockwinds, Church Road, Killiney, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual assault and production of child pornography on 8 May 2014.
He further pleaded guilty to possessing 688 images of child sexual abuse found on hard drives and computers during a raid on his premises, his family home and the playschool on 15 May 2014. He has no previous convictions.
Ann-Marie Lawlor BL prosecuting told the court today that the child’s parents did not have an issue with Muldoon being named in the media as long as the victim was not identified through reporting of the case.
Judge Melanie Greally said Muldoon’s crime represented a gross breach of trust and said instead of assisting the girl, “who already started out life at a disadvantage”, “he compounded her difficulty”.
“She has suffered an irreversible loss of innocence at the age of four,” the judge said before she added that the child’s “extreme youth was the single greatest aggravating factor in the case”.
Judge Greally accepted that Muldoon had expressed remorse, had social and educational difficulties and had neither shared nor paid for the pornographic material.
She sentenced Muldoon to five years in prison and ordered that he engage in treatment while in prison.
The judge also imposed five years post release supervision and said that Muldoon must refrain from taking any position that will bring him into contact with children.
The little girl’s parents, in a victim impact statement read out in court, expressed how the man’s “despicable and disgusting behaviour” would impact them as a family for the rest of their lives.
They said their daughter had a fear of unfamiliar males and “as a 4-year-old girl she was stripped of her dignity and innocence”.
They said the incidents had been imprinted on her mind and that she struggled socially and had night terrors.
They revealed they were grateful that their little girl had been able to speak up about the abuse.
Lawlor confirmed to the court that there were no other allegations against the man from other parties.
How the case came to court
Detective Garda Donal O’Connell told Lawlor that the child’s parents contacted gardaí after the little girl told them about the pictures.
Two days later a garda search team raided three addresses and found the images, including 586 of children displaying “erotic posing” with no sexual interaction, over 90 of penetrative and non-penetrative interactions between children and adults and several showing genital mutilation.
Detective Garda O’Connell said his team got another warrant to access the man’s email addresses, where photos of the 4-year-old were later found and analysed.
The man later attended a voluntary garda interview and admitted he had taken up to 20 pictures of the girl.
He described how she had moved her clothes out of the way on his request while he took the photos.
Detective Garda O’Connell told Lawlor that analysis of the photos showed they had been taken over a quarter of an hour with between five and ten minute interludes between each cluster.
The man also revealed that he had other images of child porn on a file on his computer named “snakes” so his girlfriend wouldn’t find them.
The detective told the court that some of the images found on the computers and hard drives showed genital mutilation taking place and a few were of explicit cartoons.
Detective Garda O’Connell agreed with Caroline Biggs SC, defending, that her client’s plea had spared the child having to be cross-examined in a trial.
He further agreed the pornography found and produced had been for the man’s own use and that there was no evidence of paying for or distributing it.
The detective agreed the man had been engaging in therapy since his arrest and hoped to continue in custody after his sentence.
Biggs submitted to Judge Greally that her client had had difficulty in school and with forming friendships growing up. She said Muldoon had expressed remorse and showed some empathy for his actions.
She added that her client was a “vulnerable man” who had no friends since the incident and who needed structure in his life.
She asked the judge to take into consideration that the sexual assault would not have been at the highest end of the scale and the majority of the pornography would have been categorised at the lowest end.
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SF should nominate someone who wasn’t in the IRA. Therefore the DUP can’t revert back to that point when Sinn Fein are screwing them. I would estimate a 20% increase in SF votes in the ROI if Gerry stepped aside. People don’t vote SF because of him. People vote for SF only for him too. But more votes without! Gerry kelly would be a disaster – playing into unionist hands
Gerry kelly shot a prison officer so he should be top of any sf list
How about sending Gerry Adams back up? He was never in the ‘ra!
@Sean O’Brien: Any credibility generated from appointing someone who was never in the IRA will be nullified as long as Gerry Adams remains in charge.
Agreed, well said.
@Cillian O’Gara: Gerry will hang on to power, until he becomes the next dictator/leader of Ireland and he may be in his 90′s by then like Brother Castro.
Your estimations are way off even if gerry went because they still glorify the provos. You would need a new generation who would state that the provos were bad plus everyone in the organisation admits their part and seeks forgiveness. On that day I may look at them differently
They really need to move towards candidates who have never been ‘blooded’, but realistically that probably won’t happen. The army council will still want their man in there.
What do you mean by blooded? Silly statement to make! The republicans who where willing to die for their beliefs says a lot about there determination to achieve their objectives! Personally I’d like to see someone like Conor Murphy or Gerry Kelly take the role someone who can carry the hardliners as well as the soft support to where it needs to go.
Now more than ever that’s important moving into a situation where there will be a hard border. A return to conflict in the north is a very real possibility given a hard border. Only those with a conflict past could dissuade young people from following that path.
Gear oil they were way more willing to kill others than die themselves. It’s not like they engaged in man to man combat, they planted bombs in public places with the intent to murder civilians, they targeted unarmed individuals and executed them, they shot unarmed gardai, the dragged mothers from their kids and tortures and executed them. What exactly were the beliefs that justified these acts?
@Gearoid, (sorry auto correct kicked in)
In one word freedom… the same acts that people like Michael Collins and Eamon de velera committed they didn’t throw teddy bears at their opponents. If the British where occupying your community land and telling you how to live my life, actively discriminating against you with regard jobs housing voting rights… then when you go to protest civilly they mow you down with machine guns! The troubles in Ireland never started with Martin McGuinness or the IRA if you knew your history you would know it started well before that with a colonial power not far from here.
How did mowing down civilians equate to freedom?
Jimmyjoe Wallace. Do you think the conflict was a one sided coin?
No Ray I never said that, but we are discussing sinn feint, are we not?
Jimmyjoe Wallace. Ok. So how many civillians did Sinn Fein mow down?
Ray you do know mcguinness has admitted to being in the Ira?
Jimmyjoe Wallace. Yes but we are dicussing Sinn Fein are we not?
Discussing
Ray if you refuse to see the connection between Sinn Fein and the IRA there’s no point engaging further with you.
@Jimmyjoe Wallace: As opposed to planting Weapons, on ” Nationalists “, or shooting people, going to Gaelic Games, yeah??? Which is what was done, by ” The British Army “, and ” The R. U. C. “!!!!!
Pádraig, both sides did appalling things. That’s the point, the political system up there would best serve all the people if it wasn’t each parties chief antagonist picked.
@Gearoid Mag Leannáin: You should know Gearoid that the Jimmyjoes of this world are embedded in a warm little cloud where they let others do the dirty work. Around 60% of the masses will sit back and do nothing (other than complain) in the face of aggression, 30% will take the political road and 10% will, in some form, fight fire with fire.
Gearoid sits firmly on his high horse, never to budge and absolutely useless.
@vNblxOSQ: In the grand tradition, oooops – JIMMYJOE sits firmly on his high horse…
Jimmyjoe Wallace. Are you saying that every member of Sinn Fein has a connection with the IRA?
No Ray I’m not which is why I agree with the original poster that SF should go with someone who doesn’t have an IRA past. But SF/IRA are two faces of the same movement. As regards me sitting on a high horde not getting involved, I’ll say this: I’m a democrat. Unlike mcguinness and Adams et all, I’ve always been a democrat who believed jaw jaw was better than war,war. I was involved in local politics for over twenty years and I also believe there was never any need for the levels of violence inflicted on northern Ireland, by all sides. It wasn’t worth the shedding of a single drop of blood, nevermind the wholesale slaughter that went on. Nothing was achieved that would not have been achieved through the democratic processes pursued by John Hume etc.
If you don’t know about ‘blooding’, you know nothing about the underbelly of life in NI over the past few decades. My point, to simplify it for you, is that they have a choice between picking a successor from one of tea murder gangs or picking one of the indoctrinated young clones who have never been blooded, ie made to kill somebody to prove their loyalty. My guess is that although one of the little clones would improve their ratings among normal people, the ‘army’ council will insist on keeping the perks of high office within their ranks.
John Mulligan. Methinks you are watching to many mafia movies.you gobsh!te.
Just like Micheal Collins did
I hope Michelle O’Neill gets the roll…while watching Michelle O’Neill speaking to Stormont last week alongside McGuinness on tv, I couldn’t help but notice she looked a bit nippy…certainly get me more interested in NI politics.
It might be a bit of a jump to go from IRA man to what looks like a Barbie pron star. She seems to be able to talk the talk but appearances can be everything to many people. They don’t bother me generally but I suppose it could make things more interesting in Northern politics.
Agree that Gerry Adams will have to retire at some stage when the members feel it is time. However, I don’t buy into the myth that there are hoards of Fine Gael & Fianna Fail voters out there who are just bursting to vote Sinn Féin after standing idly by for 50 years and actively harassing and persecuting Republicans during this time. They can stuff their 3rd preferences where the sun don’t shine..
The new leader was hand picked by Gerry Adams and Martin Mcguinness. (According to Adams) Not exactly the democratic process we are told Sf use to select their leaders.
@Cillian O’Gara:20% increase if Gerry goes…in your dreams.
In your nightmares
There is no point in using “whataboutery” if you are in a position of power or influence you just breed a whole new generation of bigots that’s why Arlene was completely wrong as DUP leader and Michelle is the right one to lead Sinn Fein.. We can’t keep looking backwards without ending up turning backwards. Not saying any side should forget “whataboutery” as a lot of people got hurt, but don’t use it for political gain.
Should a criminal record be a prerequisite?
So the army council meet on a Monday morning before they sign on. Good to know
Michelle O’Neill has got the job
No leadership contest ? Very democratic bunch
What they have also said is he is “retiring from front line politics”. In other words he is not giving up his seat in the back room. …….
Why wouldn’t Gerry Adams run ?
They’re promoting the young’uns. Michelle O’Neill a shoe-in if you ask me. Why would Adams trigger a by-election and re-enter Northern politics when he has one of the safest seats in the Dáil. I think the only TD with a safer seat is Stephen Donnelly, and considering people like Adams and Enda Kenny brought running mates over the line shows that Donnelly could have brought someone over too.
I don’t think so. They should try to move on and break with the psychopaths but the army council will want to hold on to the perks.
What are you on about “run”. The selection of the new leader in the north was done by Adams & Mcguinness. There is not an open contest or selection process. Don’t be so naive
Joe Smith. There is not an open contest or selection process. And you know this how. Are you a member of SF perhaps?
No, I listened to gerry Adams an rte yesterday. ……….. Unless you have an alternative fact :)
Joe Smith. I have just read that interview by Gerry Adams. And nowhere in it does he say himself and martin have picked a new leader for the north.perhaps you have an alternative fact. Do share.
I don’t care what you read, I know what I heard him say, that he and Martin Mcguinness selected his successor last year. He said it on public airways so your alternative facts seem wrong.
Also if you are aware of some open selection process and Gerry lied, please tell us where, when and by whom the selection process did happen. I know you won’t be able to as for once I believe gerry so please, Stop spoofing
Joe Smith. I agree there is a spoofer here and it is not me perhaps you have some proof gerry and martin handpicked the new leader.not hearsay actual proof
Joe Smith. The president of Sinn Fein does not have the power to appoint or dismiss the deputy leader. So who is the spoofer. Hint look in the mirror.
For the last time Gerry Adams said in rte yesterday, “myself and Martin Mcguinness selected his successor last year.” If you have a problem with that take it up with SF. I see no reason to disbelieve Adams as I have heard nothing about people putting themselves forward for the job, have you ? If so share it please. If not an apology would be accepted
Joe Smith. Gerry Adams does not have the POWER to appoint a successor. Look up Sinn Fein policy and get back to me.
Well you better tell him, and you come back and tell me of I dreamt it and he didn’t say it, who ran ? How was the successor selected ? You can’t because I didn’t dream he said it…
I notice with all your rhetoric you have not pointed out when or where the selection process you believe is required happened. I wonder why
Joe I am not privvy to that in formation. But you do seem to be the only one who heard it.
Really, so it’s not an open process. Also you better get on to rte radio because they reported on the 1 o’clock news today that it was Adams and mcguinness that would make that selection. Educate yourself b4 trying to pull people up
Tumbleweed blows down the road as Ray leaves the stage…….. spoofer
People seem to be confused with ” Party Leadership “, and ” Stormont Leadership “. ” Party Leadership ” is dealt with EVERY YEAR, at ” The Árd Feis “, BY ALL MEMBERS!!!!!!!!!, and ” Stormont Leadership ” is a lot like the Portfolios / ” Minister Shadowing “, where ” Grassroots Members ” don’t ” have a say “, in it. We didn’t get a say, and won’t get a say in who became, or becomes ” Deputy First Minister “, or who became ” Minister “, just like we don’t get a say in who becomes ” Party Spokesperson “, and in my opinion, we shouldn’t!!!!! How many members of any of the other parties can say that they ” have a say “, in any of it??? I know that ” The Labour Party ” only have a contest, when there’s a challenge, or AFTER an Election, and that ” Fine Gael ” elect their Leader, through ” the Parliamentary Party “, WHEN THERE’S A CHALLENGE. I like the idea of Michelle, in the position. I don’t know what it is about her, that has me being of that opinion, but it ” just makes sense “. Maybe it’s because she’s done such a good job, in the two positions she’s held, since being elected. I also like the idea of Mairtín, as the choice. I think he did ” a fantastic job “, as ” Mayor of Belfast “, and is ” capable “, to say the least. I could mention any of the other ” contenders “, and my reasons for them, but don’t think I need to.
I really think you have to have someone with a lot of experience because you dealing with very tough negotiations and one with very little experience would be swallowed up.
I like Ms O Neill she is photogenic. But I don’t like her anti family stance. Mr Murphy would probably be more “pro life”. But it has been said he was involved in the troubles- so that may not help him. Maybe Mr O Dowd might be best.
You have to admire the military discipline of SF….. New leader selected in secret and all members will support them….. No rows or leaks to media …All the other parties would love such discipline
@declanhanley: According to reports then Conor Murphy is the polar opposite of hardline DUP Arlene Foster and has been criticised in the past over his sectarian anti Protestant activity.
Paul Quinns family have many times said that Conor Murphy supports and protects his murderer’s. He is old stock
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