A JUDGE HAS ordered a senior Department of Justice official accused of possessing child abuse images and videos to appear in court next month to be served with the book of evidence for his trial.

Niall Colgan, 38, of Muckross Park Perrystown Dublin 12, was excused from attending his case at Dublin District Court today. 

However, Judge Alan Mitchell directed that he come to court on 5 October for the next state of the proceedings.

Colgan was granted bail on 14 August after Detective Garda Alan Young charged him with possessing two videos and eight images of child abuse material on 1 February, 2022.

The offence is contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.

He is also charged with possessing cannabis at his home on the same date and has yet to indicate a plea.

His solicitor Damien Coffey and Garda Young confirmed that Colgan had been excused from attending today if the book of evidence was not ready.

Judge Mitchell noted from a State solicitor that there were no outstanding statements and that the book was “in typing” and would be ready in two weeks.

Judge Mitchell remanded the accused on continuing bail in his absence to appear on 5 October but ordered that he attend and be notified by his solicitor.

Earlier, detective Young, from the divisional protective service in Tallaght, told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial indictment in the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers. 

However, the State must serve a book of evidence on the accused before the District Court grants a return for trial order.