We tracked 91-year-old James Israel, aka James Tracy, to an isolated rural cottage south of Wexford last week.
We tracked 91-year-old James Israel, aka James Tracy, to an isolated rural cottage south of Wexford last week after being given a suspended sentence for possession of child pornography.
Despite being described in court as a man of “deep spiritual faith,” Israel’s initial reaction when approached by our reporters was somewhat less than Christian.
“You’re going to get in trouble, get out of here – go,” he yelled after our man confirmed his identity.
“Journalist? Are you affiliated with that cursed newspaper?” He then asked – referring to a highly respected local newspaper, people of wexford Details of his case were first reported.
“Print all the lies about this man!”
when our reporter revealed he was with sunday worldIsrael, somewhat tempered, continued:
“My name is Trevor.”
After confirming our identity from a public Facebook account, our reporter was instructed to knock on the front door of an Israeli home and speak to a man who identified himself as an Israeli caregiver.
As we did so, the man told the newspaper that a media ban was being enforced that prohibited the details of the Israeli case from being published.
ofsunday world We later confirmed whether this was the case and confirmed that such court reporting limitations were not outlined at any stage during the trial of the Israeli case.
When he appeared at Wexford Circuit Court, the teenager pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography before Judge Martin Nolan.
The crime was uncovered in April 2018 when an Apple Mac computer was dropped at Joyce’s Electrical in Wexford for repairs.
A technician assigned to perform the work became concerned about photos on the device containing images of a young boy with exposed genitals, and Gardai was alerted.
An Apple Mac was seized by investigators, as was a personal computer found when an Israeli cottage was raided under a warrant.
Israel’s response was to argue that the material should not be classified as pornographic because none of the photos show adults.
But the law stipulated otherwise, and the old man pleaded guilty.
Details of the contents found on the two computers were presented to the court by Detective Garda Trevor Buckley.
Detectives said hundreds of images of juveniles appeared that weren’t considered pornography.
However, there was also more sinister material, such as a large number of pornographic cartoons.
And the court’s attention was drawn to four images of explicit child sex and more than 100 images of child exposure.
asked by sunday worldRegarding the images found on his computer, Israel responded:
“It was left for repairs four or five years ago. Normally people with something to hide don’t leave their devices in the shop for repairs.”
When asked if he had raised a hacking defense in court, Israel admitted he had not.
Asked if he said he hadn’t downloaded the images, Israel replied:
“And it turns out that some European countries have laws that allow you to bring in things that the laws here forbid.”
During the Israeli sentencing, Detective Garda Trevor Buckley outlined details of the pensioner’s background.
He said Israel is a former British resident who was formerly known as James Tracy but changed his surname to Israel through a deed ballot.
He had no conviction record in Ireland, but was convicted in England in 1960 for “stealing a child”.
The child in question was 11 at the time.
about this conviction sunday worldIsrael said: “There was a religious one.
“It meant that in the UK to encourage someone to come out and become a priest was punishable by death on one occasion and seven years in prison on another.
“The boy was under the custody of a Genoese monastic order and was well protected and cared for.
“And Pope John XXIII at the time knew he was safe.”
Asked if he claimed to have taken his children all the way from England to Italy, Israel said: ”
At the Israeli sentencing hearing, defense attorney Eamon Whitmore said his client had worked across Europe in the past.
Fluent in German, he worked as a teacher at the Berlitz School and spent time in Barcelona and Rome.
He had deep spiritual faith, the adviser suggested.
Judge Martin Nolan noted Israel’s belief that the materials at trial were lawful.
To say he was irrelevant would be an understatement, as the Court held that “his view was [are] It is inconsistent with the criminal law of this country. ”
But being sent to prison at 91 is unjust.
A judge suspended Israel’s two-year sentence.
Two computers have been ordered to be destroyed.
Israel was warned in court that his age would not prevent him from going to prison if he reoffended.
