2021-02-18
FBI agent and gardai entitled to give evidence anonymously, court finds
Stage: Appeal
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Judge Thomas Teehan sitting at Clonmel Circuit Court sentenced Bates to seven years imprisonment with the final year suspended. Detective Superintendent Michael Gibbons told Bates' sentence hearing that an FBI agent referred to as "Agent Peter" was carrying out surveillance on the Darknet when he encountered a communication in September 2017 from an individual in Ireland using the moniker "Snow4" who was anxious to purchase firearms, explosives and ammunition. "Agent Peter", who routinely monitors the Darknet for traffic in contraband and illegal materials, acted as the vendor in the transaction and agreed to sell the requested items with payment being made in the form of $800 worth of Bitcoin.