Ireland changed the law specifically to protect people from the sharing of intimate images, and the legislation is named after a young woman, Nicole Fox, known as Coco, whose death in 2018 drove the campaign. If someone has shared or threatened to share intimate images of you, the law is on your side.
What Coco’s Law says
The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, known as Coco’s Law, came into force on 9 February 2021. It creates two main offences. Sharing an intimate image without consent with intent to cause harm can carry up to seven years in prison and an unlimited fine. Taking, sharing or publishing an intimate image without consent, even without intent to cause harm, can carry up to twelve months and a fine of up to €5,000.
Threats count
The law covers threats to share intimate images as well as actual sharing. That matters in sextortion and coercion cases, where the threat itself is used to control someone. You do not have to wait until something is posted before the law becomes relevant.
Online safety regulation
Ireland’s online safety framework, overseen by Coimisiún na Meán, sets rules for how online services deal with harmful content. Alongside it, the Data Protection Commission oversees GDPR rights, including the right to have personal data erased in certain circumstances.
Common situations
The cases we hear about most are a former partner sharing private material, hacked phones or cloud accounts, and listings on adult websites that use someone’s name or photographs without permission. Agreeing to an image being taken is not the same as agreeing to its distribution.
Do not pay for promises
Anyone who guarantees that content will vanish forever, or asks for money before understanding your case, deserves suspicion. If you are being blackmailed, stop engaging, keep the messages and contact the Gardaí.
Where to turn in Ireland
You can report to An Garda Síochána, and organisations such as Women’s Aid offer support to people affected by abuse. A solicitor can advise on civil options, and a specialist can handle the ongoing work discreetly. For the neighbouring jurisdiction, see our guide to the UK position. This is general information, not legal advice, and laws change, so check the current position for your situation.
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