Sex addict was trying to make own child porn film, court told

Date Published: 24-Feb-2011

By Ann Healy

A 23-years-old sex addict who downloaded graphic child pornography from the internet over a three-year period and who had progressed to taking his own child porn pictures, received a suspended two-year prison sentence when he appeared before Galway Circuit Criminal Court this week.

Michael Langan, from Houndwood, Cross, Cong, Co Mayo pleaded guilty last July to the possession of computer images at his home near Cong on May 19, 2009 of young children engaged in explicit sexual activity, and to the possession of similar computer images at his rental address at Rahylin Glebe, Ballybane on dates between October 22, 2007 and May 18, 2009, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.

Gardai accidentally stumbled on Langan, who has a BA degree and is currently studying for another degree in Business and Information Systems, Micro Economics and Languages, while he was a student at GMIT in 2009.

Sergeant Paudie O’Shea told the sentencing hearing on Wednesday that 76 images of child porn were found on Langan’s computer along with fourteen child porn movies and 939 files which had been corrupted.

Langan admitted trawling the internet for child porn pictures and movies.

Gardai raided his family home in Cong where they found another 58 encrypted files of child porn on the family computer.

Prosecuting barrister, Conor Fahy said Langan had progressed to taking pictures of children using his camera phone and he asked Sgt. O’Shea if he had concerns about Langan’s future conduct.

“I think he is so addicted to it, he is sorry he got caught. I just don’t know.” Sgt. O’Shea replied.

Defence barrister, Geri Silke said Langan had been abused as a child and he had contemplated suicide in 2006. She said he was remorseful and was undergoing sex and psychological therapy which would continue.

Judge Raymond Groarke sentenced Langan to two years in prison on each charge to run concurrently and suspended the entire sentence for three years on condition that he come under the supervision of the probation service and continue to receive counselling and therapy for his addiction.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.