Courts / Dublin / Report
No jail for man who snapped and drunkenly shared garda intelligence board
Summary
Noel Shannon, a 40‑year‑old electrician from Finglas, pleaded guilty to disclosing personal data from a Garda intelligence board that contained information on 108 people. He photographed the board while working on emergency lighting at Kilmainham Garda Station in March 2019, later sending the images to two other electricians. The pictures were subsequently circulated on social media. The case was the first criminal breach of the Data Protection Act 2018 prosecuted on indictment. Judge Melanie Greally found no premeditation or malice, noting the offence was committed while intoxicated. She imposed a headline sentence of three years but, considering mitigating factors such as his early guilty plea, remorse, stable family and work life, she suspended a two‑year custodial term in full for two years. The court recorded that Shannon had four prior convictions, including theft and a public order offence. The prosecution and defence agreed that Shannon had not foreseen the consequences of his actions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No jail for man who snapped and drunkenly shared garda intelligence board. Charges or matters: disclosing personal data, namely garda intelligence bulletins, without prior authorisation of the data holder. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 13, 2019 Other
- 2021-12-17 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: disclosing personal data, namely garda intelligence bulletins, without prior authorisation of the data holder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Brion Hoban and Fiona Ferguson An electrician who leaked pictures of garda intelligence containing the personal information of 108 people has been given a suspended sentence. Judge Greally imposed a two-year sentence which she suspended in full for two years.
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 Sentence Theft
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request