Man stopped at Dublin Airport with anime child abuse images, court told

A 21-year-old man travelling to a comic book convention in the United States was stopped by Homeland Security at Dublin Airport with child sex abuse animation images, a court has heard.

Finley Bowd, of Harbour View Close, Brixham, Devon in England, was arrested in Terminal 2 yesterday.

He appeared before Judge John Brennan at Dublin District Court where Detective Garda Rebecca Doyle said that the man made "no reply" when charged with two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.

The man had been travelling to New York for a Comicon event when he was arrested and had his phone seized.

Mr Bowd is accused of possessing anime images of child sexual abuse and having category three child pornography anime images.

Judge Brennan noted the involvement of Homeland Security, the US federal agency, in the case.

Mr Bowd was remanded on €400 bail to appear again on 6 November for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Initially objecting to bail, because the accused is a UK national and a flight risk, Det Gda Doyle agreed to bail terms following exchanges with defence barrister Paddy Flynn.

She agreed with Mr Flynn that his client was making his way to a flight to New York and there was a "random stop" at Terminal 2.

Det Gda Doyle also accepted that Mr Bowd was cooperative. Contact has been made with a family member, and gardaí made enquiries with the UK, establishing that he has not come to police attention.

Mr Flynn said that his client’s mother would provide support and he could be reached on her phone.

The barrister also stressed that he would return to Ireland for court dates.

Counsel said the accused was of limited means, but had €400 on him, which Judge Brennan held could be used as his bail money.

The judge warned that Mr Bowd must provide a new phone number and until then be contactable on his mother’s phone.

Describing the case as involving "difficult charges", Mr Flynn’s application for legal aid, on behalf of his client, was granted.