The ISPCC is criticising the leniency of sentences handed down to offenders convicted of possessing child pornography.

The group, which works to protect children, says its own research shows custodial sentences in the last 5 years have been rare.

In a recent case, a Dublin man captured with over 1,000 images and videos of children being raped and posing naked received a three year suspended sentence.

The ISPCC’s Caroline O’Sullivan says it’s simply not acceptable.

“The simple fact of the matter is that when somebody downloads or views child pornographic images, they’re effectively paying somebody somewhere to actually abuse a child” she said.

“That is a very, very grave crime – and therefore the sentencing should actually fit that” she added.