Former Dublin politician charged with human trafficking, possession of child pornography

William 'Bill' Tormey, a former Fine Gael councillor for Dublin City Council, appeared in Dublin District Court today, Friday, December 13.

Tormey, of Glasnevin Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, is facing two charges, one that allegedly occurred in 2021, and another in 2022.

Tormey is charged with one count of trafficking a migrant into the state contrary to Section 2 of the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act, 2000, according to The Irish Independent.

For this charge, it is alleged that Tormey "knowingly facilitate the entry into the State of a person whom you knew or had reasonable cause to believe was an illegal immigrant or a person who intended to seek asylum." 

This offence allegedly occurred at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on August 4, 2021.

Tormey is also charged with an offence contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.

For this charge, it is alleged that Tormey knowingly had in his possession child pornography to wit, seven images of Child Pornography, as defined by the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.

This offence allegedly occurred at his Dublin home on June 1, 2022.

The charges against Tormey come after an investigation by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. The Irish Independent reports that Tormey was first charged in October.

In court on Friday, state solicitor Niamh McKernan said the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to Tormey being sent forward for trial.

Tormey has surrendered his passport, the court heard on Friday.

Judge Kelly warned him “not to apply for further travel documents” and to have no contact, directly or indirectly, including via social media, with any witnesses.

Tormey did not address court but indicated he understood the conditions, the Irish Times reports.

Tormey has yet to enter a plea.

Judge Treasa Kelly remanded Tormey on continuing bail on his own bond of €400.

Tormey has been ordered to appear in court again on February 14.

Tormey served as a Fine Gael member of Dublin City Council from 2004 to 2014. RTÉ News notes that he made several unsuccessful attempts to be elected as a TD and as a senator. He also previously ran for office for the Labour Party and as an Independent.

Tormey also has three doctorates -  a PhD from Trinity College Dublin, an MD from Ulster University, and a DMed from National University of Ireland.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Tormey has been a Consultant Chemical Pathologist at Beaumont Private Clinic since 1982, a visiting professor at University of Ulster since 2012, a fellow at Athlone Institute of Technology (now called the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone) since 2015, and an adjunct associate professor at Trinity College Dublin since 2016.

He is the current editor-in-chief of the Irish Journal of Medical Science.