by Eoghan Dalton
An ex-priest has been found guilty of possessing child pornography at a Waterford court.
75 year old Oliver O’Grady was before the Circuit Court charged with one count of possessing a video of an underage girl engaging in a sexual act.
It’s alleged that Oliver O’Grady held the video in his possession on a date between 14th December 2015 and March 2016, at his residence at St Otteran’s Place, South Parade, Waterford city.
The case arose when a former housemate of O’Grady reported him to Gardaí, after discovering a sexually explicit video on the computer.
Mr O'Grady was previously convicted in 1993 for molesting two brothers over a 10-year period while in the US, and served a seven-year sentence before being deported back to Ireland.
However, Judge Eugene O'Kelly had granted an application during the trial to prevent O'Grady's background as an ex-priest being revealed to the jury in case it would prejudice their views.
The prosecution told the jury this morning that it was clear and obvious that the downloaded video was that of child pornography.
Barrister Conor O’Doherty also pointed to the internet searches made by a user of the computer. In one instance someone had searched for the Latin version of the religious hymn, the Magnificat, and then minutes later had searched for males in underwear.
Making his case, defence barrister Sean Rafter said there were still doubts on whether the accused used the computer on the date in question, as the residence in St Otteran’s Terrace was a transient household made up of tenants who were often coming and going.
The charge - which O’Grady denied- is contrary to section six of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act and carries a sentence of up to five years.
The jury returned its guilty verdict after two hours’ deliberation and a sentencing date was set for two weeks time.
