Senator Fiona O’Loughlin renews call for action on her Catfishing Bill
Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has renewed her call for the swift passage of her Bill that would make catfishing a standalone criminal offence.
Her appeal follows revelations that prolific Northern Irish sex offender Alexander McCartney continued to offend and catfish while on bail for similar crimes. McCartney posed as someone else online to deceive children into sending indecent images, which he then used to blackmail them.
Speaking on the issue, Senator O’Loughlin said:
“We have criminalised identity theft in the offline world. Why are we lagging behind when it comes to the online world, where the harm can be even more intimate?
“How many more young people must be left vulnerable before this legislation is enacted? The despicable actions of Alexander McCartney, and his ability to continue preying on the most vulnerable, highlight the urgent need to change how we view and respond to catfishing.”
"While the 2 Johnnies podcast brought much-needed attention to the issue, it also revealed how easily the darker, more harmful aspects of catfishing can be trivialised or reduced to entertainment.
“Laws shape norms. By recognising catfishing as a crime, we begin to treat it with the seriousness it deserves.”
Senator O’Loughlin will reintroduce the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Bill 2025 last April. The Bill would make catfishing a specific criminal offence, empowering An Garda Síochána to investigate and take action when individuals are harmed by online deception.
It would also provide legal recourse for victims whose identities have been stolen, giving them the right to access data from dating apps or social media platforms that often remain uncooperative unless compelled by a court order. At present, victims are frequently left without a means to remove stolen images or discover what has been done in their name.
“This legislation is not just for the young or for those active online, It’s for everyone. It’s about making our legal system fit for the digital age and protecting people from abuse that is every bit as damaging as what happens offline.
“We have a duty to ensure the law protects people online as fully as it does offline.”
ENDS