Young people are being blackmailed via social media in the Midlands warns Garda Chief Superintendent

Incidents where young people are being targeted by criminals through their mobile phones and blackmailed after sending intimate images are increasing in the Midlands according to top Gardaí.

The Chief Superintendent of the Tipperary Garda Division warned parents to monitor closely what their sons and daughters are sharing online, after a spike in cases of financial exploitation in the region.

“Young people are being targeted where intimate pictures are being exchanged and then the victim is told that they have access to their laptop or phone and their intimate pictures will be sent to their family and friends unless money is paid”, Chief Superintendent Colm O'Sullivan said.

He was addressing a meeting of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee in Thurles last week, which heard advice for parents who may find themselves in a situation where their child has shared sensitive images or information online.

“You should speak to your local Gardaí and not get more sucked into it”, Chief Superintendent O'Sullivan said.
Recent changes to Irish legislation relating to such activity has strengthened the Gardaí's ability to deal with the issue.

New legislation passed in the form of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, 2020 has strengthened the law in this area and created new offences which carry penalties of up to 7 years imprisonment and unlimited fines for persons engaging in this behaviour.

It is now an offence to distribute, publish or threaten to publish or distribute an intimate image of another person without their consent with intent to cause harm to, or being reckless as to whether or not harm is caused to the other person.

It is also now an offence for a person to record, distribute or publish an intimate image of another person without that other person’s consent, where that recording, distribution or publication, as the case may be, seriously interferes with that other person’s peace and privacy or causes alarm, distress, or harm to that other person.

Previous meetings of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee have heard that Gardaí trained in dealing with crimes of this nature are active in the region and available to assist.
Parents are encouraged to engage with their local Gardaí.