The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, which the government calls “Coco’s Law” after a young woman who took her own life in 2018, came into effect last February and created two new offences concerning the distribution of intimate images without consent.

Responding to a written question in the Dáil, justice minister Helen McEntee said: “I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána has to date, commenced 28 prosecutions by way of charges and summonses, relating to 19 separate investigations under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.

“We need to make sure that people are aware of the harm caused to victims and of the potential penalties applicable if a person is tried and convicted of engaging in this unacceptable behaviour.”