GARDAI are warning the public about the legal implications of sharing images of children who have been before the Criminal Courts.

And a warning has also been issued in relation to protecting the anonymity of children involved in court proceedings.

It follows the widespread sharing online of images of Boy A and Boy B, convicted on Tuesday of the murder of Ana Kriegel in Lucan. Boy A was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault. Both were 13 years old when the incident took place on May 14 last year.

A statement from the garda press office said: “An Garda Síochána would like to remind members of the public in relation to the anonymity of a child in court proceedings and the sharing of images of children who have appeared before the Criminal Courts and the legislation pertaining to same.

"In particular to be mindful of the ‘Children Act 2001’ which covers children and the Criminal Justice System, section 252(1) (b) : " no picture which purports to be or include a picture of the child or which is likely to lead to his or her identification, shall be published or included in a broadcast”.

The statement added: “Any person who is in contravention of the legislation shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable— (i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both.”