It was also revealed that 25,000 referrals of potential child sex abuse images were made to gardaí last year

The ex-Royal Navy officer, from England but living in Ireland for several years, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998, at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court.

Electronic engineer Mark Barlow, 61, of Clonlost, Kilucan, Co. Westmeath, was arrested following a series of disturbing online chats with an undercover police officer in Yorkshire about fantasies involving young girls and toddlers.

Michael Kearns (58) was caught with 207 images and 164 movie files containing child abuse imagery when gardaí searched his home

Jamie Fitzgerald (35) of Avoca Drive, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court to one count of possession of child pornography

Adam Palmer, of Ballyhooleen, Ballinhassig, Co Cork appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court having pleaded guilty to possession of child abuse images.