Top trampoline coach charged over twisted child abuse images 'found dead'
Simon Flannery, 41, was due to appear in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday but his defence solicitor told the court his client "took his own life last Friday in Budapest"
An award winning trampoline coach due to appear in court last Friday to face charges relating to indecent images of children has been found dead in Budapest.
Simon Flannery, 41, was due to appear in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court but defence solicitor Adrian Harvey told the court 'it's a very tragic situation.'
'As far as we are aware Mr Flannery took his own life last Friday in Budapest,' he told District Judge Steven Keown, adding that 'we are seeking confirmation of that.'
On an indictment dated between 25 March 2020 and 29 November 2023, Flannery, who was awarded the coach of the year accolade in 2019, was charged with having, possessing and distributing indecent images of children, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Having been on police bail since his arrest in November 2023, the former barber turned top trampoline coach was formally charged four weeks ago and was due to have his first appearance on Friday, May 23.
It emerged last weekend however the Co. Mayo native, who had been living on the Upper Lisburn Road in Belfast, had been found dead in the Hungarian capital.
Until his arrest Flannery had been the head of the trampoline program at NI's largest trampoline club and had been involved in training some of NI's best trampoline gymnasts who have competed all over the world.
Giving evidence to the court today, Detective Constable Shannon said the PSNI had been contacted by authorities in Budapest 'to make us aware and to contact the next of kin."
But that since then, the police have 'requested official confirmation of the death.'
Judge Keown said that 'to keep ourselves right,' he believed the officer should give evidence that she believes she can connect Flannery to the charges and accordingly, that was done.
Suggesting that the case be adjourned for a month, Mr Harvey said he would liaise with Flannery's family and An Garda Síochána.
Judge Keown agreed and scheduled the case for an update on 20 June.
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