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. 0958Public order (threatening, insulting and abusive words or behaviour), breach of International Protection Act 2015 (publishing identifying information) · Co. Dublin · 22 Aug 2024

YouTuber Paul Nolan jailed for posting videos of asylum seekers at IPAS centre in Tallaght

Paul Nolan, 36, a YouTuber, filmed and posted four video clips of asylum seekers at the St John's House IPAS centre in Tallaght, Dublin, on 22 and 26 August 2024, questioning them and using captions that identified them. He was charged under the Public Order Act and on four counts under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to which he pleaded not guilty. On 25 September 2025, Judge John Hughes, in the first prosecution under Section 26, sentenced Nolan to 10 months with the final three months suspended and ordered the videos taken down. Nolan had 47 prior convictions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Paul Nolan, 36, a YouTuber, filmed and posted four video clips of asylum seekers at the St John's House IPAS centre in Tallaght, Dublin, on 22 and 26 August 2024.
  • Nolan questioned teenage boys, a young woman, and three middle-aged men, told them they had no right to privacy in Ireland, threatened one boy he would break his nose, and mimicked their accents.
  • Video captions included 'Time to document these people ourselves' and 'Cheeky fella these economic welfare scammers'.
Where
The filming took place at the St John's House IPAS centre in Tallaght, Dublin; Nolan is from Mount Eagle Square, Leopardstown, Dublin 18.
Charges
Nolan was charged with engaging in threatening, insulting and abusive words or behaviour under the Public Order Act and on four counts under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015 of publishing information likely to identify an applicant.
In court
Judge John Hughes presided over the trial, noting it was the first prosecution brought for the Section 26 offence, and witnesses from Palestine and Jordan gave evidence.
Sentence
On 25 September 2025, Nolan was sentenced to 10 months with the final three months suspended with conditions, and the videos were ordered to be taken down.
Other details
  • Nolan had 47 prior convictions and claimed he was unaware the building was an IPAS centre.
  • The judge described the conduct as 'repeated, premeditated and targeted' and 'a disgraceful, glorious display of rudeness, hyena-like behaviour, and ignorance of the people involved'.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNolan questioned teenage boys, a young woman and three middle-aged men staying at the facility. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNolan told the applicants that in Ireland they have no right to privacy. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNolan posted four video clips on his YouTube channel that revealed the faces of the asylum seekers. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatVideo captions included 'Time to document these people ourselves' and 'Cheeky fella these economic welfare scammers'. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNolan questioned a man from Gaza about why he was in Ireland and not fighting in his own country. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe father of two boys filmed by Nolan said his sons were aged 14 and 17 at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNolan threatened one of the teenage boys, saying he would break his nose. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNolan told an applicant 'I already got your face, no need to put your hand up' and mimicked their accents. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereNolan is from Mount Eagle Square, Leopardstown, Dublin 18. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe filming took place on 22 and 26 August 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeNolan pleaded not guilty to engaging in threatening, insulting and abusive words or behaviour under the Public Order Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeNolan denied four counts under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015 of publishing information likely to identify an applicant. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge John Hughes noted this was the first prosecution brought for the Section 26 offence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceNolan was given a 10-month sentence with the final three months suspended with conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe videos must be taken down. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge said Nolan used 'a tissue of lies, wrapped in a shroud of pseudo-citizen journalism'. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge described the conduct as 'a disgraceful, glorious display of rudeness, hyena-like behaviour, and ignorance of the people involved'. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNolan claimed he was unaware the building was an IPAS centre. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNolan claimed he learned from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and RTÉ News that 80 per cent of asylum seekers were economic migrants. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherWitnesses from Palestine and Jordan gave evidence at the trial. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Sep2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    YouTuber becomes first person jailed over posting videos of asylum seekers online

    Sentencing report. Nolan received 10 months (3 suspended) and the videos must be taken down. Judge Hughes described the conduct as 'repeated, premeditated and targeted' and 'a disgraceful, glorious display of rudeness, hyena-like behaviour, and ignorance of the people involved.' Nolan had 47 prior convictions.

    convicted, Paul Nolan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Nolanvictim, 14, malevictim, 17, malevictim, male