Courts / Cork / Report

Woman denies trying to "blackmail" accountancy firm over alleged data breach

Summary

At the High Court, Gerardine Scanlon denied allegations that she attempted to blackmail accountancy firm Grant Thornton into paying €1 million to resolve actions over an alleged data protection breach. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan heard that Grant Thornton mistakenly sent confidential data to Ms Scanlon in September 2015. The firm obtained orders preventing her from releasing this information, which she agreed to return in December 2015. Grant Thornton's counsel, Maurice Collins SC, alleged Ms Scanlon failed to comply with the order, retained confidential data, and demanded €1 million to make related cases disappear, characterizing this as extortion. Ms Scanlon, representing herself, denied breaching the court order or retaining information. She stated the meeting with Grant Thornton was on a non-prejudice basis and rejected the blackmail claim as an attempt to smear her name. She also asserted she did not have the power to drop cases brought by the Data Protection Commissioner. The court considered pre-trial motions where Grant Thornton sought to strike out Ms Scanlon's defence and counterclaim, arguing they have no legal basis. Ms Scanlon opposed this and sought to join Danske Bank, the Data Protection Commissioner, and the Attorney General to the action. Those parties opposed being joined. The hearing was adjourned and resumes next week.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman denies trying to "blackmail" accountancy firm over alleged data breach. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• September 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-05-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report