Groups representing children say the sentence imposed on a Cork man – for child pornography possession – is too lenient.

A former Cork City Council official has been handed a 4 year suspended sentence – after downloading some of the worst child pornography – ever seen by Gardai.

54 year old David Ivers from Rathcoursey near Midleton – admitted possessing nearly 14 thousand illegal images – some involving children under the age of one.

The Director of Services at the ISPCC – Caroline O’Sullivan – is calling for the introduction of tougher sentences – for child pornography offences.

“It has to reflect the depravity of the crime that was carried out” she said.

“Effectively, we need to ensure that children are protected from those who habitually pray on them”.

“And this particular man, who received a 4 year suspended sentence was habitually looking up images of child pornography – of babies – and that is ridiculous, and getting a 4 year suspended sentence it just doesn’t fit the crime at all” she added.