The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with 34 charges of inviting, inducing, counselling or inciting a child to sexual touching, a further 34 charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence or sight of a child, 34 charges of sexual assault and four charges of communicating by technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child.
The charges occurred on various dates between 2019 and 2021 and relate to four separate victims.
Two women, who are also living in Kerry, were also charged with similar offences including child exploitation and production of child pornography.
One of these – an older woman was before the court on 40 separate charges including 33 of obtaining or providing a child for the purposes of sexual exploitation, three charge for the production of child pornography, three for the distribution of child pornography and one for the possession of child pornography.
Another younger woman charged with obtaining or providing a child for the purposes of sexual exploitation relating to three victims.
All three defendants came before Tralee District Court on Thursday having been arrested at their addresses in Kerry on Wednesday evening.
Detective Sergeant Tom Bourke gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of the South Kerry man. Sgt Burke said the defendant made no reply to any charge expect the final to which he replied “I know what I did was wrong but at that time I was feeling low because of things that happened in my life,” he said.
The man is represented by solicitor Padraig O’Connell.
Bail was granted with certain conditions which were not read out to the court.
Court presenter Sgt Stephen O’Brien told the court that the DPP had directed trial by indictment but the book of evidence is not yet ready. Sgt Tom Burke said this would take time to prepare. The case was adjourned to September 3.
Mr O’Connell applied for and was granted legal aid.
Sgt O’Brien said reporting restrictions were in place to protect the identity of the four victims.
Evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of the women on August 6 was also given by gardaí. Both were also granted bail with conditions which were not read out in court.
Presiding Judge Treasa Kelly also ordered that both women remain in the jurisdiction as part of the conditions of bail.
Solicitor Brendan Ahern represented the younger defendant while Michael O’Donnell is the solicitor for the older woman. Mr Ahern was granted legal aid for his client while legal aid was granted to Mr O’Donnell for his client.
Sgt O’Brien told the court that the DPP had directed trial by indictment for both women but the book of evidence is not yet ready.
All three will appear again before Tralee District Court on September 3.