Doctor and former Fine Gael councillor Bill Tormey has been before Dublin District Court, charged with a human trafficking offence and possession of child pornography images.
Mr Tormey, who is 73 and from Glasnevin in Dublin, was sent forward for trial by judge and jury in the Circuit Criminal Court next year.
He is charged with knowingly facilitating the entry into the State of a person he knew or believed to be an illegal immigrant at Dublin Airport on 4 August 2021.
And he is charged with possessing seven images of what is defined as child pornography under the legislation, at his home in Glasnevin on 1 June 2022.
He was served with a book of evidence at the District Court this morning and will appear again at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 14 February 2025.
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Judge Treasa Kelly remanded Mr Tormey on continuing bail on his own bond of €400.
Through his solicitor, Michael Staines, Mr Tormey confirmed that he had surrendered his passport and would not apply for any further travel documentation.
He also undertook to have no contact with any witnesses in the case.
Mr Tormey was a Fine Gael councillor on Dublin City Council between 2004 and 2014, when he lost his seat.
He made several unsuccessful attempts to be elected as a TD and as a senator. He had previously run for office for the Labour Party and as an Independent.
