Coalisland man accepts possessing extreme pornographic image

A Coalisland man who previously had a reporting restriction banning publication of his identity removed has admitted multiple charges relating to indecent child imagery.

Thirty-seven-year-old Ruairi Michael McGinty, of Innishmore Park, accepted five counts of possessing indecent images of children and two counts of possessing an extreme pornographic image.

The offences occurred on January 17, 2023.

One charge relates to imagery in the highest category of seriousness.

McGinty appeared in the dock of Dungannon Crown Court, speaking only to confirm his name and plead guilty to each charge in turn.

The details surrounding the circumstances of the case were not disclosed at this stage.

A defence barrister requested pre-sentence reports and informed the court that a psychiatric assessment will also be sought.

McGinty to sign the Sex Offenders Register before leaving court, the duration of which this is to apply  will be determined at sentencing.

Judge Richard Greene remanded him on continuing bail to attend for sentencing on a date to be fixed next month.

When McGinty first appeared in court last year it was contended his name should be withheld from publication due to ‘fragile mental health’ and defence lawyers advised they were seeking medical evidence to support this.

However, after a number of adjournments nothing was provided and the reporting ban was lifted.