Gardaí set to launch Coco's Law inspired initiative

Awareness campaign will begin with Transition Year students

Gardaí are set to roll out a powerful new initiative, inspired by Coco’s Law, with local officers being trained to tackle image-based abuse and online harassment.

A targetted awareness campaign will begin with Transition Year students, emphasising the criminal consequences of sharing intimate images without consent and exposing the devastating personal toll of sustained online abuse. But this is only the start, with plans to expand the initiative to sports clubs and other youth-focused organisations, widening its reach across communities in Cavan and Monaghan.

'Coco’s Law' - formally the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 - criminalises the non-consensual distribution of intimate images and severe online harassment. The legislation is named in memory of Nicole 'Coco' Fox, who died by suicide after suffering relentless online bullying. Under the Act, anyone found guilty of distributing intimate images without consent can face penalties of up to seven years in prison.

The proposed information campaign, the first of its kind in terms of scope anywhere in the country, and is being led by local gardaí.

Friday’s launch will be attended by Nicole’s mother, Jackie Fox, whose courage in speaking out has drawn widespread praise. Chief Superintendent for the region Alan McGovern and Minister of State with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, AI and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth, have both commended Ms Fox’s advocacy.

Minister Smyth has herself recently taken a hard line with social-media platform X over child sexual abuse-related images generated by its chatbot, Grok.

Also attending will be local Oireachtas members and councillors, along with officials from agencies including Tusla and others, as pressure intensifies on the various statutory bodies to step up their role in providing guidance and protection on the matter.

Coco’s Law, Chief Supt McGovern told the Celt, sends a “clear message” that online abuse and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images are “serious crimes with serious consequences”.

“It exists because of the courage of Nicole Fox’s family, and it is particularly significant to have Jackie Fox with us, whose advocacy has helped ensure that victims are protected, perpetrators are held accountable, and no one is left to suffer in silence. We honour Nicole’s memory, we acknowledge the strength of her family, and we recommit ourselves to ensuring that no one faces abuse or intimidation alone- online or offline.”

Minister Smyth said recent weeks have brought a “renewed focus” on an issue that has already affected “far too many lives” across Ireland.

“The sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery is a horrific violation that we must do everything within our power to stop,” she said, also thanking the “courage and tireless advocacy” of Ms Fox in her daughter’s memory.

“The importance of educating our young people of the laws that are in place, and also why we have these laws in place, is now paramount. I commend An Garda Sióchána, Cavan Community Engagement Functional Area, for recognising the critical importance of this issue and for facilitating a dialogue on it this Friday. It is essential that we work together to ensure that we protect our citizens from this type of harm.”

Concluding her remarks, Minister Smyth warned that society is living in a “fast-evolving digital world”, with young people “navigating challenges” online that previous generations never encountered.

“The permanence and reach of digital content mean that the sharing of such imagery has never been easier. This has devastating and lasting consequences. I believe that the platforms that facilitate the sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery must face consequences and hold responsibility.”