Courts / Dublin / Report

Possession of bestiality images not an offence in Ireland, High Court judge finds

Summary

In a High Court extradition case, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo ruled that possession of images depicting sexual acts between an adult woman and a dog is not an offence under Irish law. The 72‑year‑old defendant, whose name is protected by court order, was to be extradited to the UK to face charges of possessing two photographs of bestiality and 15 charges of alleged indecent images of children. The judge agreed to surrender the man for the child‑image allegations but found no Irish offence corresponding to possession of extreme pornography. He rejected the State's argument that the images constituted offensive sexual conduct, noting that possession alone is not inherently sexual or offensive. The defendant remains in custody awaiting surrender to UK authorities, where he may be tried only for the child‑image allegations, not for the bestiality images. The case highlights the distinction between possession and other forms of sexual offence under Irish law.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Possession of bestiality images not an offence in Ireland, High Court judge finds. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• September 2007 Incident
• July 2004 Incident
• 2023-04-25 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report