Latest news with #HarmfulCommunicationsandRelatedOffencesAct2020
Sunday World
10-06-2025
- Sunday World
Teen (18) produced child pornography by sharing intimate images of girl (15), court told
As the female teenager was a minor at the time of the alleged offence, the man is also facing two charges under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act on November 15th 2022. A Clare teenager, just turned 18, posted a collage of intimate images of a 15 year old girl onto his Snapchat stories in a so-called Coco's Law prosecution, a court has heard. In the case before Kilrush District Court on Tuesday, the accused - now aged 20 - appeared in connection with being charged with three alleged offences over the posting of the intimate images in November 2022. Judge Alec Gabbett said that the case comes under Coco's Law, which is formally known as the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 which criminalises the non-consensual distribution of intimate images. In the case, the accused, aged 18 at the time, is charged with on November 15th 2022 publishing or distributing an intimate image of the female without her consent with the intention to cause her harm contrary to Section 2(1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2001. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday June 10 As the female teenager was a minor at the time of the alleged offence, the man is also facing two charges under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act on November 15th 2022. The man is accused of knowingly having in his possession child pornography, the image of the female aged under 17 which, the charge says, depicts her genitals on the date. The man - accompanied to court by his mother and a sister - is also charged with producing child pornography for the purpose of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show contrary to Section 5(1) of the Child Trafficking Act and Pornography Act1998. In court, Garda Nadine Keane, now of Roxboro Garda Station, Limerick said it will be alleged that the accused had in his possession a collage of four intimate images of the female on November 15th 2022 and posted them to his online Snapchat stories on the same date. Garda Keane said that one of the images depicting the girl's genitalia was a Category Two image as categorised under the Child Trafficking Act and Pornography Act. Judge Gabbett said that Category One would be regarded as the most serious followed by Category Two. Garda Keane said that the images were left online for a number of hours before they were taken down by the man who allegedly posted them. He continued by saying that the female - who turned 18 earlier this year - made a statement of complaint to Gardai and was interviewed by specialist Garda interviewers. The Garda said that the case was investigated by the Clare Division Protective Services Unit based at Crusheen. Garda Keane said that when charged at Kilrush Garda Station on May 29th, the accused made no reply after caution. He added that the DPP has directed that the case be heard in the district court on a plea of guilty only. After hearing an outline of the facts, Judge Gabbett said that he was declining district court jurisdiction and the case will now be transferred to the circuit court where more serious penalties apply on conviction. Judge Gabbett said that he was declining jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the alleged offences, the categorisation of the images and that the case warrants consideration by the circuit court taking into account the impact on the alleged injured party. The judge said that if the accused was aged under 18 at the time, he would have kept the case in the district court. In the district court, penalties for the Coco's Law offence can be up to one year on prison on conviction and Sgt John Burke said that before the circuit court, a 14 year prison term can apply on conviction. Judge Gabbett remanded the man on continuing bail to appear at Kilrush District Court to July 15th. Judge Gabbett imposed reporting restrictions on the identity of the accused and the injured party due to the age of the injured party at the time of the alleged offences.
Dublin Live
29-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies' appears in court
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A man charged with offences relating to online threats on social media appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. Detective Garda Mark Russell arrested the accused in Laois on Wednesday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station. RTE reported that Gardai are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied. Mr Petre's defence counsel Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on June 5 by video link. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Sunday World
29-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man charged over ‘grossly offensive' TikTok video about ‘slicing up' Irish babies
Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court A man has been charged with an offence relating to 'hatred towards the Irish people' after he allegedly posted a social media message about 'slicing up' Irish babies. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court on Thursday morning, May 29, charged with two offences. Stock photo News in 90 Seconds - May 29th Garda Mark Russell charged Mr Petre with an offence, that on a date around May 24, 2025, at an unknown location in the Dublin area, he published 'grossly offensive communication' on the TikTok social media site about 'slicing up Irish babies, kids and you' with intent to cause harm. The charge relates to Section 4 (1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. Mr Petre was also charged with an offence, that on May 24, in an unknown place in the Dublin area, he engaged in threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour, with intent to breach the peace, demonstrating at the time of the offence 'hatred towards the people of Ireland'. The charge relates to the Criminal Justice Act. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again via video link at Portlaoise District Court on June 5 next.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies'
A man charged with offences relating to online threats on social media appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. Detective Garda Mark Russell arrested the accused in Laois on Wednesday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station. RTE reported that Gardai are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied. Mr Petre's defence counsel Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on June 5 by video link.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Man charged over online threats on social media pages
A 50-year-old man has appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court charged with offences relating to online threats shared on his social media page. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. Detective Garda Mark Russell said he arrested Mr Petre yesterday at Rathmiles, Abbeyleix, in Co Laois, under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1977 and brought him to Abbeyleix Garda Station, where he was detained. Detective Russell said that he was seeking directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and that there may be further charges. Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on 5 June by video link. He also marked on the detention order that the defendant receive urgent medical assessment while in custody.
