21/01/2010

Kiddie Porn Suspect Held

An Irishman of pension age is alleged to have been discovered with a huge collection of "sickening" child porn when arrested in Amsterdam.

The 68-year-old had arrived on a flight from Bangkok on Sunday morning into Schipol Airport but missed his connecting flight to Dublin.

He was on his way to Dublin when held by cops in the Dutch city yesterday but news of his arrest and detention was only released by the authorities later.

The flight was delayed by some hours and having missed his Aer Lingus onward connection at 9.40am he picked up his luggage and prepared to leave.

His luggage was searched as he exited the arrivals and customs officers discovered a haul of child porn DVDS, CDs and photos, together with children's underwear in his hand baggage.

The Irishman, who had been travelling alone, was brought before an examining magistrate yesterday who ordered that he be remanded in custody while the investigation continues.

The find is said to have involved "hard core child pornography DVDS... CDs with more films and photographs of children and adults having sex and children" was hailed by the Schipol vice squad as a major haul, according to police spokesman.

The Dutch Justice Ministry has recently launched a major crackdown against the trafficking of child pornography introducing 'special days' at Schiphol airport, when passengers arriving from countries where sex tourism involving children is most prevalent, such as Thailand, Brazil and the Philippines are targeted.

Last year a number of arrests were made of foreign nationals.

The Irishman gave a statement admitting that he had been to Thailand before.

He was remanded in custody while the investigation continues. Dutch authorities are withholding his name and address.

(BMcC/GK)

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