Courts / Dublin / Report

Possession of bestiality images would not be an offence in Ireland, lawyers tell extradition hearing

Summary

In a High Court hearing, lawyers for 72‑year‑old Thomas Donaldson argued that possession of images depicting a woman and a dog engaging in sexual acts would not constitute a criminal offence under Irish law. Donaldson, who was arrested in Dublin in January after a Northern Irish warrant alleged that hundreds of indecent images of children were found on his computer, faces 15 charges of making indecent images and two counts of possessing extreme pornography. The court considered whether the images, which show a female's mouth and vagina being penetrated by a dog's penis, fall under Irish legislation that criminalises sexual conduct likely to cause fear or alarm. The judge noted ambiguity in the law, particularly whether possession alone is an offence, and postponed judgment to 25 April, remanding Donaldson in custody until then.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Possession of bestiality images would not be an offence in Ireland, lawyers tell extradition hearing. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• September 2007 Incident
• July 2004 Incident
• April 25 Adjournment
• 2023-03-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

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Read the original CNI report