AI-generated pornographic deepfake images of Irish politician circulated during 2024 election
AI-generated pornographic images of Irish politician Gráinne Seoige were reportedly circulated online during the 2024 general election campaign in an alleged dirty tricks operation orchestrated by political opponents. Gardaí are investigating the matter; Seoige has stated the current law is inadequate to address such abuse.
What happened
Computer-generated pornographic images of Gráinne Seoige, a Fianna Fáil candidate in the 2024 Irish general election, were circulated online prior to the November election.
Sources suggest the images were created and distributed by political opponents as a 'dirty tricks' campaign to damage Seoige's election bid in the Galway West constituency.
Reported impact
Seoige stated the election campaign 'effectively left her unemployed', with no television or MC work booked for the year, a situation she said had never occurred before.
Seoige criticised social media platforms for allowing the generation and sharing of such images 'with not only impunity but with their fulsome protection', and stated 'the current law isn't fit for purpose'.
Index analysis
Political sources indicated that awareness of the fake images was 'almost universally known in political circles' within the Galway West constituency.
One source stated: 'There is evidence, which the gardaí are aware of, that these images were put together and distributed by Gráinne's political opponents in an effort to damage her campaign.'
Governance controls
Gardaí in the north-west are investigating the circulation of the images and the alleged involvement of political opponents.
Seoige requested assistance from Fianna Fáil's general secretary to 'ensure similar incidents do not happen to any young Irish girls and women'.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.