George Lawlor: Calls to ban creation of non-consensual intimate images
George Lawlor spoke in the House about an amendment to the 2020 Act to explicitly prohibit the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery and to extend the time frame for initiating proceedings. He argued the amendment would close a gap by criminalising the production or manipulation of intimate images without consent and giving victims more time to seek justice.
Purpose of the amendment
The speaker set out a twofold purpose - to explicitly prohibit the creation of non-consensual intimate or otherwise harmful imagery, and to extend limitation periods so victims are not denied justice due to late discovery of online offences.
Creation of imagery offence and evidence of gaps
Coco's Law (the 2020 Act) already criminalises distribution of intimate images without consent, a point credited to a predecessor in Wexford and Jackie Fox. However, the speech identified a gap - the absence of a clear standalone offence for the creation, alteration or manipulation of intimate images, including fabricated images produced with accessible editing tools or AI. The speaker warned that facilitators, such as Elon Musk and others, or individuals in local communities can produce images even where no original exists.
Extension of limitation periods
The speaker criticised the current six-month window for summary offences as potentially too restrictive for online harms. He argued that online material can be hidden, shared anonymously or stored on private platforms, and that extending the time frame would give Gardaí and prosecutors greater flexibility to act amid delayed reporting and digital evidence challenges.
Support for victims and societal message
The speech emphasised the profound harm and violation of dignity experienced by victims, including those whose images have been fabricated. The speaker insisted victims are not at fault, described the crimes as "heinous, devious, and cowardly," and said the amendment would send a clear message that perpetrators have no place to hide and victims deserve time and legal support.
Legislative implications and call to action
The speaker framed the changes as a necessary modernisation of the 2020 Act to ensure the law keeps pace with evolving technology and forms of digital exploitation. He urged legislators to strengthen protections, ensure clearer accountability and recognise the depth of harm faced by those affected.
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Minister, the core purpose of this amendment is twofold. Firstly, to explicitly prohibit the creation of non-consensual, intimate or otherwise harmful imagery. And secondly, to extend the period during which proceedings may be initiated, ensuring that victims are not denied justice due to the often slow discovery of online offences. The 2020 Act, Coco's Law, brought through this House by predecessor in Wexford, Brendan Howland, alongside the inspirational Jackie Fox, already criminalises the distribution of intimate images without consent and addresses a large range of harmful online communications. However, unfortunately, gaps remain. One of the most significant is the absence of a clear, standalone offence for the creation of non-consensual, intimate imagery. And as technology advances, individuals, the facilitators, such as Elon Musk and others, or indeed the deviants in our own towns and villages and neighbourhoods and households, can fabricate intimate images using very, very accessible editing tools or AI-based systems, even where no original image exists. This form of abuse can be as damaging as the sharing of real images. Yet the current legislation does not fully capture the act of creation itself. This amendment would close this loophole by making it an offence to produce, alter or manipulate imagery depicting a person in an intimate or compromising context without their consent, regardless of whether the image is subsequently shared. And don't forget, we often hear of these images being used to mentally torture or coercively control. The second major reform, extending the time frame for initiating proceedings, responds to the reality that victims often only discover these harmful images and content long after they are created or circulated. Online material can be hidden, it can be shared anonymously, or stored on private platforms, making timely detection often difficult. The existing six-month window for summary offences can therefore be unreasonably restrictive. So by lengthening this period, this amendment would give Gardaí and prosecutors greater flexibility to act, and it would acknowledge the unique challenges posed by digital evidence, delayed reporting and the emotional trauma many victims face before coming forward. Together, these changes would modernise the 2020 Act, reinforce the state's commitment to protecting individuals from digital exploitation, and ensure that the law keeps pace with emerging forms of online harm. They would also send a clear societal message, that the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery is a serious, serious violation of personal autonomy, and that victims deserve adequate time and legal support to pursue justice. The perpetrators of these heinous, devious, and cowardly crimes should and will have no place to hide. And to the victims, what you have endured is not a small thing. Having your image, or even a fabricated version of you, used without your consent is a profound violation of dignity and trust, and none of that is your fault. The harm lies entirely with those who choose to misuse technology and exploit your privacy, and you deserve to hear that clearly. You are not alone in this experience, even though it may have felt that way. Many people suffer in silence because shame and fear convince them that they have no voice. But your voice matters, and your story matters. The emotional weight of discovering that an intimate or harmful image has been created without your consent, can and has been overwhelming. And it is completely valid to feel anger, frustration, or even sometimes grief. This is not a journey you should have to walk without support. And as legislators, we have a responsibility to ensure that the law keeps pace with the reality of digital harm. As we all know, technology moves and evolves quickly, and so must the protections that safeguard the rights of the people affected. We in this House must be committed to strengthening the law so that the creation of these images is treated with the seriousness it deserves. We simply have to work to ensure that victims are not just denied justice simply because these offences often come to light after they occur. Victims must know that they will not be left behind. Their experiences must shape stronger protections, clearer accountability, and a legal system that recognises the depth of the harm that they have faced. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.
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