Intimate images of young woman shared online by ex-boyfriend, Cork court hears

Intimate images of a young woman were shared online by her ex-boyfriend, it was alleged at Cork District Court on Wednesday, where the judge said the allegations were too serious to be dealt with at that court.

The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that it would accept district court jurisdiction but only on a plea of guilty. 

However, Judge Mary Dorgan decided that whatever plea was entered, she would not accept district court jurisdiction.

The matter will now have to be dealt with at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Dorgan directed that nothing could be published about the case that may give rise to identification of the young woman. 

Naming the defendant appearing before the court on Wednesday could effectively identify her.

The 24-year-old man, wearing a suit with shirt and tie, appeared in court, accompanied by his parents. 

He is charged with distributing or publishing intimate images without consent with the intention of causing harm to the person or being reckless as to whether harm would be caused to her, contrary to the Harassment, Harmful Communications, and Related Offences Act 2020.

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the background to the allegations.

He said: “On October 26, 2023, the alleged injured party made a complaint to gardaí that in July 2023 when at her boyfriend’s home she discovered a video of her and the defendant engaging in consensual sexual intercourse.

“She said this was shared on (a website) without her knowledge or consent. 

"When she confronted him to examine his phone, she discovered that on March 10, 2023, he shared the video — to an unknown person he met on (the website) — of her in sexual acts with him and performing sexual acts on herself as well as images of her genital and breast areas, taken with her consent but she did not grant permission for these images and video to be shared.” 

Solicitor Frank Buttimer submitted, before the judge finalised her decision on jurisdiction, that the initial sharing of material was done with the complainant’s consent. 

Sgt Kelleher said the prosecution case was that there was no consent to any sharing of images or video.

Judge Dorgan said: “I note the DPP consents to summary jurisdiction on a plea only. Taking account of what may be involved, I am refusing jurisdiction.” 

The defendant was remanded on bail to Cork District Court on June 10.