Cyberstalking and Online Harassment Under Coco's Law — Ireland
Sourced from Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Cyberstalking and online harassment in Ireland are criminal under Coco's Law (Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020). Section 4 covers the offence of distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication; Section 5 covers harassment via digital means. The Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 Section 10 covers harassment more broadly. Investigation: An Garda Síochána, typically GNCCB or local station.
Coimisiún na Meán under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 supervises designated platforms' online safety obligations and can require platforms to act on certain categories of harmful content. StopNCII / NCMEC for image-based components.
When does it apply?
- Repeated unwanted messages, calls, or contact attempts via digital channels.
- Posts sharing your photograph without consent or impersonating you.
- Threats to publish — overlaps with NCII page.
- Doxxing — public disclosure of address, PPS number, family identity.
- Sustained online abuse.
Filing a Cyberstalking Complaint in Ireland
- Block, mute, document.
- Report to An Garda Síochána. Cite Coco's Law Section 4/5 or Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 Section 10. Keep Pulse reference.
- For platform-level action, report to the platform first, then to Coimisiún na Meán if non-compliant.
- For Irish-hosted illegal content, Hotline.ie.
- For physical-safety risk, 999 / 112.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't engage the stalker.
- Don't delete the evidence before reporting.
- Don't post screenshots publicly before the Garda report.
About Data Privacy & Digital Rights in Ireland
Ireland's data-protection framework is the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as supplemented by the Data Protection Act 2018. The regulator is the Data Protection Commission (DPC) at dataprotection.ie — one of the most active GDPR regulators in the EU due to the concentration of US tech multinationals headquartered in Dublin.
For non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), Ireland enacted the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 ("Coco's Law") in February 2021. Section 2 criminalises distribution / publication / threats to distribute intimate images without consent — up to 7 years' imprisonment. Section 3 (lesser offence — without intent to cause harm) carries up to 12 months' summary conviction. Investigation runs through An Garda Síochána, typically the GNCCB or local Garda. Victims should also use StopNCII.org (18+) or takeitdown.ncmec.org (under-18s) — both free.
Common Questions
What is Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997?
Section 10 makes harassment a criminal offence — persistent following, watching, pestering, besetting, or communicating with a person such that it seriously interferes with their peace and privacy or causes alarm or distress. Maximum penalty: up to 10 years on indictment. Coco's Law expanded the framework specifically for digital communications.
How does Coimisiún na Meán handle individual complaints?
Coimisiún na Meán supervises designated online platforms' obligations under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022. Individual users complain first to the platform; if the platform fails to act on certain categories of harmful content, escalation to Coimisiún na Meán is possible. For criminal investigation of the offender, An Garda Síochána under Coco's Law / NFOA 1997 is the correct channel.
Are there free legal-aid options?
Yes — Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) provide free initial legal information; Legal Aid Board offers civil legal aid for those who qualify. For victims of harassment / NCII, the Garda Victim Service Office can also signpost specialist supports.
What is the cyberstalking and online harassment under coco's law right in Ireland?
Cyberstalking and online harassment in Ireland are criminal under Coco's Law (Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020). Section 4 covers the offence of distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication; Section 5 covers harassment via digital means. The Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 Section 10 covers harassment more broadly. Investigation: An Garda Síochána, typically GNCCB or local station.Coimisiún na Meán under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 supervises designated platforms' online safety obligations and can...
When does it apply — cyberstalking and online harassment under coco's law?
Repeated unwanted messages, calls, or contact attempts via digital channels.Posts sharing your photograph without consent or impersonating you.Threats to publish — overlaps with NCII page.Doxxing — public disclosure of address, PPS number, family identity.Sustained online abuse.
How do I report online harassment in Ireland?
Block, mute, document.Report to An Garda Síochána. Cite Coco's Law Section 4/5 or Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 Section 10. Keep Pulse reference.For platform-level action, report to the platform first, then to Coimisiún na Meán if non-compliant.For Irish-hosted illegal content, Hotline.ie.For physical-safety risk, 999 / 112.
What should you NOT do — cyberstalking and online harassment under coco's law?
Don't engage the stalker.Don't delete the evidence before reporting.Don't post screenshots publicly before the Garda report.