Courts / Dublin / Report
'Never let an electrician into a garda station': worker leaked photos of garda intelligence
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Noel Shannon, a 40‑year‑old electrician from Finglas, admitted to taking photographs of a Garda intelligence board that listed personal details of 108 individuals involved in ongoing investigations. The board, located at Kilmainham Garda Station, was accessed by Shannon on 13 March 2019 while he was contracted to check emergency lighting. He later sent the images to two other electricians, and the pictures were subsequently shared on social media under the caption "never let an electrician into a garda station." The case is noted as the first criminal breach of the Data Protection Act 2018 to be prosecuted on indictment. Shannon, who has four prior convictions including theft and a public order offence, pleaded guilty to disclosing personal data without authorisation. He was remanded on bail, with the matter scheduled for finalisation on 17 December.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Never let an electrician into a garda station': worker leaked photos of garda intelligence. Charges or matters: disclosing personal data – to wit, garda intelligence bulletins – without prior authorisation of the data holder. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- March 2019 Incident
- March 13, 2019 Other
- December 17 Adjournment
- 2021-10-11 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: disclosing personal data – to wit, garda intelligence bulletins – without prior authorisation of the data holder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally remanded Shannon on bail and adjourned the matter for finalisation on December 17, next.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Barnamore Park
- been taken in Kilmainham Garda Station
- emergency lighting in this garda station
Topics
Public Order Stage Charge Or Pretrial Theft
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