Kerry man sentenced for possession of AI-generated child sex abuse material

Stephen Buckley, 48, of Hunters Wood, Ballyseedy, Tralee, was convicted and fined €400 for possession of child sexual abuse material. The case involved four AI-generated photographic images and three anime videos depicting sexual acts with teenagers, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. The material was classified as a category 3 offence. Judge David Waters warned that downloading such material is a premeditated act and noted the defendant made a deliberate decision to download. The court heard Buckley was actively looking for online pornography and came across the images. The judge said the conviction was the punishment and that Buckley’s statements to gardaí and Probation Services conflicted with the conscious downloading.

"Judge David Waters warned of the “premediated” act of downloading such material, in a case that first came to court within days of Dáil debate over restrictions on AI-generated intimate imagery."

"The images possessed by Mr Buckley included four photographic images created using AI and three anime videos depicting sexual acts with teenagers, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. The images were classified as a category 3 offence, with category 1 being the most severe."

"“What’s concerning me is the conscious act of downloading them, which goes against what he maintains to the gardai and probation services,” said the judge. Sergeant Chris Manton told the court images were manufactured for the purpose f"

"“The conviction is the punishment,” said Judge Waters in sentencing. Mr Buckley, who had no previous convictions, is identifiable in open court because there is no traditional victim due to the nature of the offence."

Read at Irish Independent