A new law which criminalises the distribution of intimate images without consent has passed all stages in the Oireachtas.
The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill - widely referred to as Coco's Law - was approved by the Seanad today.
It includes two new offences to deal with the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, and those found guilty could face an unlimited fine and/or up to seven years imprisonment.
The bill - originally introduced by Labour's Brendan Howlin in 2017 - also includes offences around other forms of cyber-bullying and harassment.
Jackie Fox has been campaigning for stricter measures against online harassment since her daughter Nicole Fox Fenton died by suicide in 2018 after facing continuous abuse online.
Earlier this month, Jackie said she was 'devastated' that the new law would not be named after her daughter.
This evening, Justice Minister Helen McEntee paid tribute to Nicole Fox and the 'selfless efforts' of her mother.
She said: "Jackie has tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness about the harmful effects of online abuse and to make our laws stronger in this area.
“Nicole and Jackie are one of the main reasons that I was determined to deliver on my promise that the Bill would pass through the Dáil and Seanad before Christmas.
"Nicole’s memory and Jackie’s campaign to honour her are recognised in the explanatory memorandum accompanying the legislation.”
Deputy Howlin, meanwhile, said the bill 'will make the internet a safer place'.
He said: “We all know the often-tragic consequences of online harassment and image based sexual abuse and the passage into law of this important Bill will ensure that the perpetrators of this vile abuse will be brought to justice.
"I would like to pay tribute to Jackie [Fox] for her advocacy and tenacity in ensuring that this Bill was kept on the political agenda."
The bill will now go to the President to be signed into law.
