No jail for ex soldier with vile child vids

A FORMER Irish soldier who possessed “depraved” sexual images and videos of children has been given suspended jail sentences and is to be assessed for suitability to work in the community as punishment and efforts at his rehabilitation.

- BY DAVID RALEIGH

Cormac Browne, 23, of Camass, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, admitted possessing sexually explicit images of children, including a photo of an adult performing a sex act on a baby. Browne, who was almost 21 at the time, also admitted recording sexually explicit live video chats with preteen girls via the Monkey and Monkey Run chat apps.

Browne was caught in possession of the child sex material by gardai attached to the Limerick Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) at Henry Street, Limerick, when they raided his home on April 9, 2023.

Sentencing, Judge Simon McAleese commended the DPSU's “super work" in apprehending Browne and unearthing his “deplorable” and “disgraceful” actions.