A 52-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for the possession of child pornography.
John Peppard, a sweet shop owner and retired insurance company employee from Mount Mellary near Cappoquin in Co Waterford, had pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of child pornography.
Peppard also worked as a volunteer with the Chernobyl Children's Appeal Ireland in the 1990s. He began bringing young children from Belarus to Ireland to stay with him at his home in 1995.
In June 2003, a chemist in Lismore, Co Waterford, alerted gardaí when he became concerned about photographs that had been left in to be developed.
Judge Alice Doyle said the material found in John Peppard's house was very disturbing and inappropriate. She said she had difficulty with the fact that did not realise the inappropriate nature of taking the photos and videos.
She said this man put himself in a position of trust and if this had happened to Irish children, there would be a public outcry.
The judge also directed that Mr Peppard be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of 10 years.
