In short
Sexting between consenting adults is legal in Ireland. The age of consent is 17, but sexual images of anyone under 18 are illegal. Recording, sharing or threatening to share someone's intimate image without consent is a crime under Coco's Law, with up to 7 years in prison for the most serious offence.
Coco's Law
The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 is known as Coco's Law, after Nicole "Coco" Fox, who died in 2018 after relentless online abuse. It created two image-based offences:
| Offence | What it covers | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Section 2 | Distributing, publishing or threatening to distribute an intimate image without consent, intending to cause harm or being reckless about causing harm | Unlimited fine and/or 7 years |
| Section 3 | Recording, distributing or publishing an intimate image without consent, even without any intent to cause harm | Fine of up to €5,000 and/or 12 months |
The Act also lets courts order that images are taken down and protects the victim's anonymity. The Gardaí brought over 400 charges and summonses under it between 2023 and early 2026.
Deepfakes and AI images
Coco's Law defines an intimate image broadly, and sharing a manipulated image of a real person is likely to be covered. Whether simply creating an AI nude is an offence is less clear. A Bill to amend Coco's Law and make the creation of sexual deepfakes explicitly illegal was debated in the Dáil in April 2026, and the Government did not oppose it. Check the current position if this affects you.
Unsolicited sexual images
Ireland does not have a specific "cyberflashing" offence like the UK. Sending unwanted explicit images can still be prosecuted under the harassment offence, or the offence of sending threatening or grossly offensive communications, both of which Coco's Law updated. Campaigners have called for a dedicated offence.
Under-18s and the age of consent
It is also an offence to send sexually explicit material to a child, or to communicate with a child for a sexual purpose, under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. In practice, the Gardaí and Tusla aim to protect young people who share images with each other, rather than prosecute them.
Where to get help in Ireland
- An Garda Síochána: 112 or 999 in an emergency, or your local Garda station
- Hotline.ie: hotline.ie to report intimate image abuse and child sexual abuse material online
- Dublin Rape Crisis Centre: 24-hour helpline, 1800 77 8888
- Childline (ISPCC): 1800 66 66 66 for under-18s
- Coimisiún na Meán: the online safety regulator, if a platform won't act
Need help right now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK), 112 (Ireland/EU), 911 (US/Canada) or 000 (Australia).
- Images shared or threatened (adults, UK): Revenge Porn Helpline, revengepornhelpline.org.uk or 0345 6000 459
- Stop images spreading (worldwide, adults): StopNCII.org
- Under 18: Childline's Report Remove tool at childline.org.uk or call 0800 1111. Outside the UK: Take It Down
- More countries and services: see our help and support directory
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the facts of each case. We last checked this page on 9 November 2026. If you are facing a police investigation or court case, speak to a solicitor or lawyer where you live.