Man found with AI-generated child pornographic material fined €400

A 47-year-old man has been fined €400 in the Republic of Ireland after he pleaded guilty to possessing child pornographic material, generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

Stephen Buckley, whose case was heard at the district court in Tralee, County Kerry, is believed to be the first person in the country to be convicted of possession of AI-generated child pornographic material.

Two years ago, the US National Center for Missing & Exploited Children alerted detectives in the Garda (Irish police) Online Exploitation Unit in Dublin to suspicious activity on his phone.

Gardaí in Tralee secured a warrant and searched Buckley’s home in February 2024.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported on Wednesday that officers spoke to him and seized a number of phones.

An examination of the phones revealed child pornographic images, including one of a young girl which had been digitally manipulated using an app.

Buckley was arrested and charged.

He pleaded guilty to possessing four child pornographic images which were generated using AI.

‘Devastating effect’

Buckley admitted possessing one image which was manipulated using an AI app and pleaded guilty to possessing three animation or cartoon-like videos in which teenagers were depicted.

Defence solicitor Pat Mann told the court that Buckley had no previous convictions.

He said the matter had had a devastating effect on his client.

Mr Mann pleaded with the court to deal with the case without recording a criminal conviction against Buckley, saying he had cooperated “completely” and had attended dozens of counselling sessions to address his issues.

Judge David Waters described the offence as serious and said it was appropriate to record a conviction.

He said the fact that the material was downloaded showed there was an element of deliberation and pre-meditation involved.

The judge said the portrayal of the presence of the material on Buckley’s phone as “almost accidental” did not stand up.

He convicted and fined him €400.