Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2988Possession of child pornographic material · Co. Kerry · 2 Feb 2024

Man convicted and fined for possession of AI-generated child pornographic material in Tralee

Stephen Buckley, 48, of Ballyseedy, Co Kerry, was convicted and fined €400 at Tralee District Court for possessing four AI-generated photographic images and three anime videos depicting sexual acts with teenagers. He is believed to be the first person in Ireland convicted of possession of AI-generated child pornographic material.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted27 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • investigationThe US Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted detectives in the Garda Online Exploitation Unit in Dublin to suspicious activity on his phone. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBuckley pleaded guilty to possessing four photographic images created using AI and three anime videos depicting sexual acts with teenagers. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe charge was under Section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge David Waters described the offence as serious and said it was appropriate to record a conviction. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said the fact that the material was downloaded showed an element of deliberation and premeditation. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBuckley was fined €400. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceRecognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe is believed to be the first person in the country convicted of possession of AI-generated child pornographic material. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAn examination of the phones revealed child sex abuse images, including one of a young girl digitally manipulated using an app. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDefence solicitor Pat Mann told the court that Buckley had no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 May2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man (48) convicted and fined for possession of child pornographic material using AI

    Reports the conviction and €400 fine at Tralee District Court, noting Buckley is believed to be the first person in Ireland convicted of possessing AI-generated child pornographic material. Details the investigation triggered by the US Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the judge's reasoning for recording a conviction.

    convicted, Stephen Buckley, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Buckley