Twin brothers face child porn charges

Twin brothers from Lettereknny are to face charges of possessing child pornography.

The cases of Michael Gibson and Daniel Gibson (30), both with an address at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, were before Falcarragh District Court.

The men are charged with knowingly having in their possession images contrary to section 6 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.

The images were stored on two mobile phones which were seized by Gardaí following the execution of a search warrant at an address at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny on November 3, 2015.

Each man faces two charges, the court heard.

Sergeant Jim Collins said the matters were linked and arose out of the one search warrant.

Judge Deirdre Gearty accepted jurisdiction, meaning the case will be heard at District Court level.

Solicitor for Daniel Gibson, Mr Frank Dorrian, told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal in the matter.

Mr Dorrian outlined that the ‘nature. quality and volume of the material was an issue’.

Mr Dorrian said the matter will be defended and will require a number of ‘technical witnesses’. The hearing, Mr Dorrian said, will be a ‘lengthy matter’.

Ms Donna Crampsie, solicitor for Michael Gibson, said her client’s case would also be contested.

The court noted that the case is likely to take two days.

Judge Gearty assigned a junior counsel in the case.

The matter was adjourned to April 20 for mention to finalise a date for the hearing.