Former teacher jailed for three years for possessing almost 6,000 child abuse images (opens original article in a new tab)

A former teacher was sentenced to three years in prison for possessing nearly 6,000 child abuse images and videos on his computer tablet, with an additional six months suspended and placement on the sex offender registry.

• Former teacher Niall McLoughlin was jailed for three years for possessing 5,851 child abuse images and 129 videos on his tablet.
• McLoughlin admitted to viewing the material, stating he did not intend to share it and described his actions as an addiction.
• The court noted McLoughlin's role as a teacher and the public's perception of him as a pillar of society as a disturbing aspect of the case.
• McLoughlin will be placed on the sex offender registry indefinitely and received a suspended sentence of six months.