MARTIN ARKINS FROM CO MEATH JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGE DISTRIBUTION

In a serious case that has shocked the community in Co Meath, Martin Arkins, aged 34, from Ard na Gréine, Kells, was sentenced to prison after admitting to possessing and distributing explicit images of children involved in sexual acts. The case was heard at Trim Circuit Court, where the court heard how Arkins’s criminal activities came to light through a series of investigations spanning several years.

It was revealed that the defendant initially started downloading child abuse videos and photographs for his own sexual gratification. However, his actions escalated when he began sharing this material over the internet, further contributing to the exploitation of vulnerable children. The court was informed that Arkins pleaded guilty to charges of possessing child sexual abuse images at his residence on September 11, 2009, and again on April 7, 2016, when authorities found evidence of his intent to distribute, export, sell, or show the illicit material.

The investigation was triggered in September 2009 when a woman, who had been asked by Arkins to install anti-virus software on her computer, discovered disturbing images of naked teenage boys stored on her device. Concerned, she reported her findings to the Gardaí, prompting an official investigation. When law enforcement officials seized a laptop from Arkins’s home, he initially claimed there were approximately 200 videos stored on it. However, subsequent forensic analysis confirmed that the device contained highly explicit images depicting children engaged in sexual acts, as well as images of child nudity.

The case took a further disturbing turn in 2016 when the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities about an image posted on Arkins’s Facebook page. This led to the seizure of an iPad from his residence, which was found to contain a staggering 1,180 images of child sex abuse, some of which depicted children under the age of 10. The device also held an animated film involving child sexual exploitation, adding to the severity of the evidence against him.

In August of the previous year, Gardaí interviewed Arkins, who admitted to sharing the illicit images with anonymous individuals online. During the interview, he took responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse. His legal representatives highlighted that he was now participating in a rehabilitation programme with the One in Four organisation, which aims to address issues related to sexual abuse and offending.

Judge Michael O’Shea addressed Arkins directly in court, condemning his deliberate actions that facilitated the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The judge emphasized the gravity of the crimes and the harm caused to victims. Ultimately, Arkins was sentenced to concurrent terms of four and three years in prison, with the final 18 months of each sentence suspended, reflecting the court’s recognition of his remorse and the need for rehabilitation.