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Uimhir 22 de 1998
AN tACHT UM GHÁINNEÁIL AR LEANAÍ AGUS PORNAGRAFAÍOCHT LEANAÍ, 1998
RIAR NA nALT
Alt | |
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4. | Cead a thabhairt leanbh a úsáid le haghaidh pornagrafaíochta leanaí. |
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Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
An tAcht um Bannaí, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 16 |
Na hAchtanna um Scrúdóireacht Scannán, 1923 go 1992 | |
Na hAchtanna um Chinsireacht Fhoilseachán, 1929 go 1967 | |
An tAcht um Fhianaise Choiriúil, 1992 | 1992, Uimh. 12 |
An tAcht um Chionta Gnéasacha (Dlínse), 1996 | 1996, Uimh. 38 |
Na hAchtanna um Fhístaifeadtaí, 1989 agus 1992 | |
Uimhir 22 de 1998
AN tACHT UM GHÁINNEÁIL AR LEANAÍ AGUS PORNAGRAFAÍOCHT LEANAÍ, 1998
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DÁ THOIRMEASC GÁINNEÁIL A DHÉANAMH AR LEANAÍ, NÓ ÚSÁID A BHAINT ASTU, CHUN TEACHT I dTÍR GNÉASACH A DHÉANAMH ORTHU AGUS DÁ THOIRMEASC PORNAGRAFAÍOCHT LEANAÍ A THÁIRGEADH, A SCAIPEADH, A LÁIMHSEÁIL NÓ A SHEALBHÚ, AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH NITHE GAOLMHARA. [29 Meitheamh, 1998]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Gháinneáil ar Leanaí agus Pornagrafaíocht Leanaí, 1998, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh mí amháin tar éis dháta a rite.
Léiriú
2.—(1) San Acht seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
folaíonn “closléiriú”—
(a) aon léiriú den sórt sin trí bhíthin téipe, diosca ríomhaire nó ruda eile ónar féidir léiriú den sórt sin a tháirgeadh, agus
(b) aon téip, diosca ríomhaire nó rud eile ar a bhfuil aon léiriú den sórt sin taifeadta;
ciallaíonn “leanbh” duine faoi bhun 17 mbliana d'aois;
ciallaíonn “pornagrafaíocht leanaí”—
(a) aon amharcléiriú—
(i) a thaispeánann duine nó, i gcás doiciméid, a bhaineann le duine is leanbh nó a chuirtear i láthair mar leanbh agus atá ag gabháil do ghníomhaíocht ghnéasach fhollasach nó a chuirtear i láthair amhail is dá mbeadh sé nó sí ag gabháil do ghníomhaíocht ghnéasach fhollasach,
(ii) a thaispeánann duine nó, i gcás doiciméid, a bhaineann le duine is leanbh nó a chuirtear i láthair mar leanbh agus atá ag breathnú ar aon ghníomhaíocht den sórt sin ag aon duine nó daoine nó a chuirtear i láthair amhail is dá mbeadh sé nó sí ag breathnú ar aon ghníomhaíocht den sórt sin ag aon duine nó daoine, nó
(iii) arb é a phríomhthréith limistéar ginitiúil nó anasach linbh a chur i láthair chun críche gnéasaí,
(b) aon chlosléiriú ar dhuine is leanbh nó a léirítear mar leanbh agus atá ag gabháil do ghníomhaíocht ghnéasach fhollasach nó a léirítear amhail is dá mbeadh sé nó sí ag gabháil do ghníomhaíocht ghnéasach fhollasach,
(c) aon amharcléiriú nó closléiriú a mholann, a spreagann nó a chomhairlíonn aon ghníomhaíocht ghnéasach le leanaí ar gníomhaíocht í is cion faoi aon achtachán, nó
(d) aon amharcléiriú nó cur síos ar leanbh, nó aon fhaisnéis a bhaineann le leanbh, a thugann le fios nó arb intuigthe as go bhfuil an leanbh ar fáil lena úsáid nó lena húsáid chun teacht i dtír gnéasach a dhéanamh air nó uirthi de réir bhrí alt 3,
is cuma conas a rinneadh, nó cén meán ar tríd a rinneadh, an léiriú, an cur síos nó an fhaisnéis a tháirgeadh, a tharchur nó a thabhairt le tuiscint agus, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin roimhe seo, folaíonn sé aon léiriú, cur síos nó faisnéis a bheidh táirgthe le graificí ríomhaire, nó uathu, nó ar aon slí leictreonach nó mheicniúil eile ach ní fholaíonn sé—
(I) aon leabhar nó foilseachán tréimhsiúil a mbeidh scrúdú déanta air ag an mBord um Chinsireacht Fhoilseachán agus nach bhfuil ordú toirmisc i bhfeidhm ina leith de thuras na huaire faoi na hAchtanna um Chinsireacht Fhoilseachán, 1929 go 1967,
(II) aon scannán a bhfuil deimhniú ginearálta nó deimhniú teoranta i bhfeidhm ina leith faoi na hAchtanna um Scrúdóireacht Scannán, 1923 go 1992, nó
(III) aon fhís-saothar a bhfuil deimhniú soláthair i bhfeidhm ina leith faoi na hAchtanna um Fhístaifeadtaí, 1989 agus 1992;
folaíonn “doiciméad”—
(a) aon leabhar, tréimhseachán nó paimfléad, agus
(b) más cuí, aon téip, diosca ríomhaire nó rud eile ar a bhfuil sonraí stóráilte ar féidir aon doiciméad den sórt sin a dhéanamh díobh;
folaíonn “léiriú fótagrafach” an leagan claonchló chomh maith leis an leagan dearbhchló;
folaíonn “amharcléiriú”—
(a) aon léiriú fótagrafach, léiriú scannáin nó léiriú físeáin, aon fhuaim a ghabhann leo nó aon doiciméad,
(b) aon chóip d'aon léiriú nó doiciméad den sórt sin, agus
(c) aon téip, diosca ríomhaire nó rud eile ar a bhfuil an t-amharcléiriú agus aon fhuaim a ghabhann leis taifeadta.
(2) Déanfar an tagairt do dhuine i mír (a) den mhíniú ar phornagrafaíocht leanaí a fhorléiriú mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt d'fhíor atá cosúil le duine agus a gineadh nó a modhnaíodh le graificí ríomhaire nó ar shlí eile, agus, i gcás den sórt sin, déanfar neamhshuim den fhíoras, más fíoras é, gur tréithe de chuid aosaigh roinnt de na príomhthréithe a thaispeántar más é an príomhrud a thugtar le tuiscint ná gur leanbh an fíor a thaispeántar.
(3) In aon imeachtaí mar gheall ar chion faoi alt 3, 4, 5 nó 6 measfar, mura gcruthófar a mhalairt, gur leanbh atá nó a bhí i nduine, nó go bhfuil nó go raibh duine á chur nó á cur i láthair nó á léiriú mar leanbh, aon tráth más rud é go ndealraíonn sé don chúirt gur leanbh atá nó a bhí sa duine, nó go bhfuil nó go raibh an duine á chur nó á cur i láthair nó á léiriú amhlaidh, an tráth sin.
(4) Chun críocha an Achta seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
(a) aon tagairt d'alt is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo,
(b) aon tagairt d'fho-alt nó do mhír is tagairt í don fho-alt nó don mhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt,
(c) déanfar aon tagairt d'aon achtachán a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú, arna oiriúnú nó arna leathnú, cibé acu roimh an Acht seo a rith nó dá éis sin, le haon achtachán dá éis nó faoi.
Gáinneáil ar leanaí agus leanbh a ghabháil, etc., chun teacht i dtír gnéasach a dhéanamh air nó uirthi.
3.—(1) Aon duine a eagróidh nó a éascóidh go feasach—
(a) dul isteach sa Stát, taisteal tríd an Stát nó imeacht ón Stát ag leanbh chun teacht i dtír gnéasach a dhéanamh air nó uirthi, nó
(b) cóiríocht a chur ar fáil do leanbh chun críche den sórt sin le linn dó nó di a bheith sa Stát,
beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil, príosúnacht saoil a chur air nó uirthi.
(2) Aon duine—
(a) a ghabhfaidh nó a choinneoidh leanbh, nó a shrianfaidh saoirse phearsanta linbh, chun teacht i dtír gnéasach a dhéanamh air nó uirthi,
(b) a úsáidfidh leanbh chun críche den sórt sin, nó
(c) a eagróidh nó a éascóidh go feasach gabháil, coinneáil, srianadh nó úsáid den sórt sin,
beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 14 bliana a chur air nó uirthi.
(3) San alt seo ciallaíonn “teacht i dtír gnéasach”—
(a) an leanbh a aslú nó a chomhéigniú chun gabháil do striapachas nó do tháirgeadh pornagrafaíochta leanaí,
(b) an leanbh a úsáid le haghaidh striapachais nó chun pornagrafaíocht leanaí a tháirgeadh,
(c) an leanbh a aslú nó a chomhéigniú chun páirt a ghlacadh in aon ghníomhaíocht ghnéasach is cion faoi aon achtachán, nó
(d) aon chion den sórt sin a dhéanamh i gcoinne an linbh.
Cead a thabhairt leanbh a úsáid le haghaidh pornagrafaíochta leanaí.
4.—(1) Gan dochar d'alt 3, aon duine, a bhfuil leanbh faoina choimeád nó faoina coimeád, faoina cheannas nó faoina ceannas nó faoina chúram nó faoina cúram, agus a cheadóidh an leanbh a úsáid chun pornagrafaíocht leanaí a tháirgeadh, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £25,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 14 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi.
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo—
(a) aon duine is tuismitheoir nó caomhnóir linbh nó a dhlíonn leanbh a chothabháil, toimhdeofar ina leith go bhfuil an leanbh faoina choimeád nó faoina coimeád agus, amhail idir tuismitheoirí, ní mheasfar tuismitheoir amháin a bheith tar éis scor de choimeád an linbh a bheith aige nó aici de bhíthin amháin gur thréig sé nó sí an tuismitheoir eile agus an leanbh nó nach gcónaíonn sé nó sí leis an tuismitheoir eile agus leis an leanbh,
(b) aon duine a mbeidh leanbh curtha faoina cheannas nó faoina ceannas ag aon duine ag a bhfuil coimeád an linbh, toimhdeofar an leanbh a bheith faoi cheannas an duine chéadluaite, agus
(c) aon duine a fheidhmíonn údarás, nó ag a bhfuil rialú iarbhír, ar leanbh, toimhdeofar an leanbh a bheith faoina chúram nó faoina cúram.
Pornagrafaíocht leanaí a tháirgeadh, a dháileadh, etc.
5.—(1) Faoi réir ailt 6(2) agus 6(3), aon duine—
(a) a dhéanfaidh go feasach aon phornagrafaíocht leanaí a tháirgeadh, a dháileadh, a chlóbhualadh nó a fhoilsiú,
(b) a dhéanfaidh go feasach aon phornagrafaíocht leanaí a allmhairiú, a onnmhairiú, a dhíol nó a thaispeáint,
(c) a dhéanfaidh go feasach aon fhógrán a fhoilsiú nó a dháileadh ar dócha go dtuigfí as go ndéanann an fógróir nó aon duine eile aon phornagrafaíocht leanaí a tháirgeadh, a dháileadh, a chlóbhualadh, a fhoilsiú, a allmhairiú, a onnmhairiú, a dhíol nó a thaispeáint,
(d) a spreagfaidh aon ghníomhaíocht a luaitear i mír (a), (b) nó (c) nó a chuirfidh faoi deara nó a éascóidh go feasach aon ghníomhaíocht den sórt sin a dhéanamh, nó
(e) a shealbhóidh go feasach aon phornagrafaíocht leanaí chun í a dháileadh, a fhoilsiú, a onnmhairiú, a dhíol nó a thaispeáint,
beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(i) ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi, nó
(ii) ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil fíneáil nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 14 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi.
(2) San alt seo, folaíonn “dáileadh”, i ndáil le pornagrafaíocht leanaí, seilbh uirthi a thabhairt do dhuine eile nó í a chur ar taispeáint nó a thairiscint le go bhfaigheadh duine eile í, agus déanfar an tagairt do “a dháileadh” sa chomhthéacs sin a fhorléiriú dá réir sin.
Pornagrafaíocht leanaí a shealbhú.
6.—(1) Gan dochar d'alt 5(1)(e) agus faoi réir fho-ailt (2) agus (3), aon duine a shealbhóidh go feasach aon phornagrafaíocht leanaí beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear—
(a) ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi, nó
(b) ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag alt 5(1) ná fo-alt (1) maidir le duine a shealbhóidh pornagrafaíocht leanaí—
(a) i bhfeidhmiú feidhmeanna faoi na hAchtanna um Scrúdóireacht Scannán, 1923 go 1992, faoi na hAchtanna um Chinsireacht Fhoilseachán, 1929 go 1967, nó faoi na hAchtanna um Fhístaifeadtaí, 1989 agus 1992, nó
(b) chun cionta faoin Acht seo a chosc, a imscrúdú nó a ionchúiseamh.
(3) Gan dochar d'fho-alt (2), is cosaint é don chúisí, in ionchúiseamh mar gheall ar chion faoi alt 5(1) nó faoi fho-alt (1), a chruthú gur shealbhaigh sé nó sí an phornagrafaíocht leanaí lena mbaineann chun críocha taighde bona fide.
Dul isteach, cuardach agus urghabháil.
7.—(1) Más rud é, ar fhaisnéis faoi mhionn a fháil ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána nach ísle céim ná sáirsint, gur deimhin le breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche go bhfuil forais réasúnacha ann le drochamhras a bheith ann go bhfuil fianaise ar chion faoi alt 3, 4, 5 nó 6, nó maidir le cion den sórt sin, le fáil in áit a shonraítear san fhaisnéis, féadfaidh an breitheamh barántas a eisiúint chun an áit sin agus aon duine a gheofar san áit sin a chuardach.
(2) Le haon bharántas a eiseofar faoin alt seo, údarófar do chomhalta ainmnithe den Gharda Síochána, ina aonar nó ina haonar nó in éineacht le cibé comhaltaí eile den Gharda Síochána agus cibé daoine eile is gá—
(a) dul isteach, laistigh de 7 lá ó dháta an bharántais, san áit a bheidh ainmnithe sa bharántas agus forneart réasúnach a úsáid chuige sin más gá,
(b) an áit sin agus aon daoine a gheofar ansin a chuardach, agus
(c) aon rud a gheofar ansin, nó aon rud a gheofar i seilbh aon duine a bheidh i láthair ansin tráth an chuardaigh, a urghabháil, ar rud é a gcreideann an comhalta sin le réasún ina leith gur fianaise é ar chion faoi alt 3, 4, 5 nó 6, nó maidir le cion den sórt sin.
(3) Féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána, le linn dó nó di gníomhú de réir barántais arna eisiúint faoin alt seo, a cheangal ar aon duine a gheofar san áit ina ndéantar an cuardach a ainm agus a sheoladh, nó a hainm agus a seoladh, a thabhairt don chomhalta.
(4) Aon duine—
(a) a chuirfidh bac, nó a fhéachfaidh le bac a chur, ar aon chomhalta den Gharda Síochána le linn dó nó di gníomhú de réir barántais arna eisiúint faoi fho-alt (1),
(b) a mhainneoidh nó a dhiúltóidh ceanglas faoin alt seo a chomhlíonadh, nó
(c) a thabharfaidh ainm nó seoladh atá bréagach nó míthreorach,
beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air nó uirthi.
(5) Féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána aon duine a ghabháil gan bharántas i gcás drochamhras a bheith ag an gcomhalta go bhfuil cion faoi fho-alt (4) déanta ag an duine sin.
(6) San alt seo folaíonn “áit” aon teaghais, aon fhoirgneamh nó aon chuid d'fhoirgneamh agus aon fheithicil, soitheach nó déanmhas.
Forghéilleadh.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh an chúirt a chiontóidh duine, nó a gciontófar duine os a comhair, i gcion faoi alt 3, 4, 5 nó 6 a ordú go ndéanfar—
(a) aon rud a urghabhfar de bhun alt 7, nó
(b) aon rud a suífear ina leith chun sástacht na cúirte go bhfuil baint aige leis an gcion,
a fhorghéilleadh agus é a dhíothú nó a dhiúscairt thairis sin i cibé slí a chinnfidh an chúirt.
(2) Ní ordóidh cúirt go ndéanfar aon rud a fhorghéilleadh faoin alt seo má dhéanann aon duine a éilíonn gurb é úinéir an ruda sin é nó í nó go bhfuil leas aige nó aici ann ar shlí eile iarratas go dtabharfaidh an chúirt éisteacht dó nó di, mura rud é go mbeidh deis tugtha dó nó di chun cúis a shuíomh le nach ceart an t-ordú a dhéanamh.
(3) Ní bheidh éifeacht le hordú faoin alt seo go dtí go mbeidh an gnáth-am chun achomharc a thionscnamh i gcoinne an chiontaithe nó an ordaithe lena mbaineann dulta in éag nó, i gcás ina dtionscnófar achomharc den sórt sin, go dtí go gcinnfear go críochnaitheach nó go dtréigfear an t-achomharc sin nó aon achomharc breise nó go dtí go mbeidh an gnáth-am chun aon achomharc breise a thionscnamh dulta in éag.
Cionta ag comhlachtaí corpraithe.
9.—(1) I gcás cion faoi alt 3, 4, 5 nó 6 a bheith déanta ag comhlacht corpraithe agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh é le toiliú nó le cúlcheadú, nó gurb inchurtha é i leith aon fhaillí ar thaobh, aon duine is stiúrthóir, bainisteoir, rúnaí nó oifigeach eile den tsamhail chéanna de chuid an chomhlachta sin, nó duine a d'airbheartaigh a bheith ag gníomhú in aon cháil den sórt sin, beidh an duine sin chomh maith leis an gcomhlacht corpraithe ciontach i gcion agus dlífear imeachtaí a shaothrú ina choinne nó ina coinne agus é nó í a phionósú amhail is dá mbeadh sé nó sí ciontach sa chion céadluaite.
(2) I gcás gnóthaí comhlachta chorpraithe a bheith á mbainistiú ag a chomhaltaí, beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) i ndáil le gníomhartha agus mainneachtainí comhalta den chomhlacht sin i dtaca le feidhmeanna bainistíochta an chomhalta amhail is dá mba stiúrthóir nó bainisteoir den chomhlacht é nó í.
Leasú ar an Acht um Fhianaise Choiriúil, 1992.
10.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht um Fhianaise Choiriúil, 1992, in alt 12—
(a) trí “nó” a scriosadh i mír (b) san áit dheireanach a bhfuil sé agus trí “a ghríosú, nó” a chur in ionad “a ghríosú.” i mír (c), agus
(b) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír (c):
“(d) le cion faoi alt 3, 4, 5 nó 6 den Acht um Gháinneáil ar Leanaí agus Pornagrafaíocht Leanaí, 1998.”.
Leasú ar an Acht um Chionta Gnéasacha (Dlínse), 1996.
11.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht um Chionta Gnéasacha (Dlínse), 1996, sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis, trí na míreanna seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír 9:
“10. Alt 3 den Acht um Gháinneáil ar Leanaí agus Pornagrafaíocht Leanaí, 1998.
11. Alt 4 den Acht um Gháinneáil ar Leanaí agus Pornagrafaíocht Leanaí, 1998.”.
Leasú ar an Acht um Bannaí, 1997.
12.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht um Bannaí, 1997, sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis, tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh mhír 12:
“12A. Aon chion faoi na forálacha seo a leanas den Acht um Gháinneáil ar Leanaí agus Pornagrafaíocht Leanaí, 1998—
(a) alt 3 (gáinneáil ar leanaí agus leanbh a ghabháil, etc., chun teacht i dtír gnéasach a dhéanamh air nó uirthi);
(b) alt 5 (pornagrafaíocht leanaí a tháirgeadh, a dháileadh, etc.).”.
Number 22 of 1998
CHILD TRAFFICKING AND PORNOGRAPHY ACT, 1998
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Child trafficking and taking, etc., child for sexual exploitation. | |
Acts Referred to | |
1997, No. 16 | |
Censorship of Films Acts, 1923 to 1992 | |
Censorship of Publications Acts, 1929 to 1967 | |
1992, No. 12 | |
1996, No. 38 | |
Video Recordings Acts, 1989 and 1992 | |
Number 22 of 1998
CHILD TRAFFICKING AND PORNOGRAPHY ACT, 1998
Short title and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
(2) This Act shall come into operation one month after the date of its passing.
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
“audio representation” includes—
(a) any such representation by means of tape, computer disk or other thing from which such a representation can be produced, and
(b) any tape, computer disk or other thing on which any such representation is recorded;
“child” means a person under the age of 17 years;
“child pornography” means—
(a) any visual representation—
(i) that shows or, in the case of a document, relates to a person who is or is depicted as being a child and who is engaged in or is depicted as being engaged in explicit sexual activity,
(ii) that shows or, in the case of a document, relates to a person who is or is depicted as being a child and who is or is depicted as witnessing any such activity by any person or persons, or
(iii) whose dominant characteristic is the depiction, for a sexual purpose, of the genital or anal region of a child,
(b) any audio representation of a person who is or is represented as being a child and who is engaged in or is represented as being engaged in explicit sexual activity,
(c) any visual or audio representation that advocates, encourages or counsels any sexual activity with children which is an offence under any enactment, or
(d) any visual representation or description of, or information relating to, a child that indicates or implies that the child is available to be used for the purpose of sexual exploitation within the meaning of section 3,
irrespective of how or through what medium the representation, description or information has been produced, transmitted or conveyed and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, includes any representation, description or information produced by or from computer-graphics or by any other electronic or mechanical means but does not include—
(I) any book or periodical publication which has been examined by the Censorship of Publications Board and in respect of which a prohibition order under the Censorship of Publications Acts, 1929 to 1967, is not for the time being in force,
(II) any film in respect of which a general certificate or a limited certificate under the Censorship of Films Acts, 1923 to 1992, is in force, or
(III) any video work in respect of which a supply certificate under the Video Recordings Acts, 1989 and 1992, is in force;
“document” includes—
(a) any book, periodical or pamphlet, and
(b) where appropriate, any tape, computer disk or other thing on which data capable of conversion into any such document is stored;
“photographic representation” includes the negative as well as the positive version;
“visual representation” includes—
(a) any photographic, film or video representation, any accompanying sound or any document,
(b) any copy of any such representation or document, and
(c) any tape, computer disk or other thing on which the visual representation and any accompanying sound are recorded.
(2) The reference in paragraph (a) of the definition of child pornography to a person shall be construed as including a reference to a figure resembling a person that has been generated or modified by computer-graphics or otherwise, and in such a case the fact, if it is a fact, that some of the principal characteristics shown are those of an adult shall be disregarded if the predominant impression conveyed is that the figure shown is a child.
(3) In any proceedings for an offence under section 3, 4, 5 or 6 a person shall be deemed, unless the contrary is proved, to be or have been a child, or to be or have been depicted or represented as a child, at any time if the person appears to the court to be or have been a child, or to be or have been so depicted or represented, at that time.
(4) For the purposes of this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
(a) a reference to a section is to a section of this Act,
(b) a reference to a subsection or paragraph is to the subsection or paragraph of the provision in which the reference occurs,
(c) a reference to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended, whether before or after the passing of this Act, by or under any subsequent enactment.
Child trafficking and taking, etc., child for sexual exploitation.
3.— (1) Any person who organises or knowingly facilitates—
(a) the entry into, transit through or exit from the State of a child for the purpose of his or her sexual exploitation, or
(b) the provision of accommodation for a child for such a purpose while in the State,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.
(2) Any person who—
(a) takes, detains, or restricts the personal liberty of, a child for the purpose of his or her sexual exploitation,
(b) uses a child for such a purpose, or
(c) organises or knowingly facilitates such taking, detaining, restricting or use,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.
(3) In this section “sexual exploitation” means—
(a) inducing or coercing the child to engage in prostitution or the production of child pornography,
(b) using the child for prostitution or the production of child pornography,
(c) inducing or coercing the child to participate in any sexual activity which is an offence under any enactment, or
(d) the commission of any such offence against the child.
Allowing child to be used for child pornography.
4.—(1) Without prejudice to section 3, any person who, having the custody, charge or care of a child, allows the child to be used for the production of child pornography shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £25,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or both.
(2) For the purposes of this section—
(a) any person who is the parent or guardian of a child or who is liable to maintain a child shall be presumed to have the custody of the child and, as between parents, one parent shall not be deemed to have ceased to have the custody of the child by reason only that he or she has deserted, or does not reside with, the other parent and child,
(b) any person to whose charge a child is committed by any person who has the custody of the child shall be presumed to have charge of the child, and
(c) any person exercising authority over or having actual control of a child shall be presumed to have care of the child.
Producing, distributing, etc., child pornography.
5.—(1) Subject to sections 6(2) and 6(3), any person who—
(a) knowingly produces, distributes, prints or publishes any child pornography,
(b) knowingly imports, exports, sells or shows any child pornography,
(c) knowingly publishes or distributes any advertisement likely to be understood as conveying that the advertiser or any other person produces, distributes, prints, publishes, imports, exports, sells or shows any child pornography,
(d) encourages or knowingly causes or facilitates any activity mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), or
(e) knowingly possesses any child pornography for the purpose of distributing, publishing, exporting, selling or showing it,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(i) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or
(ii) on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or both.
(2) In this section “distributes”, in relation to child pornography, includes parting with possession of it to, or exposing or offering it for acquisition by, another person, and the reference to “distributing” in that context shall be construed accordingly.
Possession of child pornography.
6.—(1) Without prejudice to section 5(1)(e) and subject to subsections (2) and (3), any person who knowingly possesses any child pornography shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.
(2) Section 5(1) and subsection (1) shall not apply to a person who possesses child pornography—
(a) in the exercise of functions under the Censorship of Films Acts, 1923 to 1992, the Censorship of Publications Acts, 1929 to 1967, or the Video Recordings Acts, 1989 and 1992, or
(b) for the purpose of the prevention, investigation or prosecution of offences under this Act.
(3) Without prejudice to subsection (2), it shall be a defence in a prosecution for an offence under section 5(1) or subsection (1) for the accused to prove that he or she possessed the child pornography concerned for the purposes of bona fide research.
Entry, search and seizure.
7.—(1) Where, on the sworn information of a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of sergeant, a judge of the District Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that evidence of or relating to an offence under section 3, 4, 5 or 6 is to be found at a place specified in the information, the judge may issue a warrant for the search of that place and any persons found at that place.
(2) A warrant issued under this section shall authorise a named member of the Garda Síochána, alone or accompanied by such other members of the Garda Síochána and such other persons as may be necessary—
(a) to enter, within 7 days from the date of the warrant, and if necessary by the use of reasonable force, the place named in the warrant,
(b) to search it and any persons found there, and
(c) to seize anything found there, or anything found in the possession of a person present there at the time of the search, which that member reasonably believes to be evidence of or relating to an offence under section 3, 4, 5 or 6.
(3) A member of the Garda Síochána acting in accordance with a warrant issued under this section may require any person found at the place where the search is carried out to give the member his or her name and address.
(4) Any person who—
(a) obstructs or attempts to obstruct any member of the Garda Síochána acting in accordance with a warrant issued under subsection (1),
(b) fails or refuses to comply with a requirement under this section, or
(c) gives a name or address which is false or misleading,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.
(5) A member of the Garda Síochána may arrest without warrant any person whom the member suspects of having committed an offence under subsection (4).
(6) In this section “place” includes any dwelling, any building or part of a building and any vehicle, vessel or structure.
Forfeiture.
8.—(1) The court by or before which a person is convicted of an offence under section 3, 4, 5 or 6 may order—
(a) anything seized pursuant to section 7, or
(b) anything shown to the satisfaction of the court to relate to the offence,
to be forfeited and either destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner as the court may determine.
(2) A court shall not order anything to be forfeited under this section if a person claiming to be the owner of it or otherwise interested in it applies to be heard by the court, unless the opportunity has been given to him or her to show cause why the order should not be made.
(3) An order under this section shall not take effect until the ordinary time for instituting an appeal against the conviction or order concerned has expired or, where such an appeal is instituted, until it or any further appeal is finally decided or abandoned or the ordinary time for instituting any further appeal has expired.
Offences by bodies corporate.
9.—(1) Where an offence under section 3, 4, 5 or 6 is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any person, being a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of such body or a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, that person as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished as if he or she were guilty of the first-mentioned offence.
(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) shall apply in relation to the acts and defaults of a member of that body in connection with the member's functions of management as if he or she were a director or manager of it.
Amendment of Criminal Evidence Act, 1992.
10.—The Criminal Evidence Act, 1992, is hereby amended in section 12—
(a) by the deletion of “or” in paragraph (b) where it last occurs and by the substitution of “paragraph (a) or (b), or” for “paragraph (a) or (b).” in paragraph (c), and
(b) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (c):
“(d) an offence under section 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.”.
Amendment of Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act, 1996.
11.—The Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act, 1996, is hereby amended in the Schedule thereto by the insertion of the following paragraphs after paragraph 9:
“10. Section 3 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
11. Section 4 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.”.
Amendment of Bail Act, 1997.
12.—The Bail Act, 1997, is hereby amended in the Schedule thereto by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph 12:
“12A. Any offence under the following provisions of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998—
(a) section 3 (child trafficking and taking, etc., child for sexual exploitation);
(b) section 5 (producing, distributing, etc., child pornography).”.