Courts / Meath / Report
Dodgy box provider pulled in €29k
Summary
A County Meath man, Michael McGrane, 47, was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for running two dodgy box companies that sold illegal access to premium TV content, including Sky Sports. McGrane pleaded guilty to two counts of selling a protection‑defeating device and one count of possessing such a device between September 2017 and September 2018, and to unlawful use of a computer between March and September 2018. The scheme involved selling altered set‑top boxes through JarvisBox and streaming services via StreamSupreme, with customers paying into Irish PayPal accounts. Gardaí launched Operation Fleming after a UK brand protection company flagged copyright infringement. McGrane's home was searched in June 2018, seizing laptops, phones, illicit boxes and financial documents. He reportedly earned just over €29,000 from the scheme, a 40 per cent share of the €145,795 turnover, and the case was adjourned for sentencing to 13 October 2023.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dodgy box provider pulled in €29k. Charges or matters: two counts of selling a protection-defeating device and one count of possessing a protection-defeating device on dates between September 2017 and September 2018; infringing a copyright without the consent of the owner at a location in County Dublin on a date between March and September, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2017 Incident
- September 2018 Incident
- March 2018 Other
- June 2018 Other
- October 13 Adjournment
- 2023-10-04 Publication
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: infringing a copyright without the consent of the owner at a location in County Dublin on a date between March and September, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ken Costello (50) of Leighlin Road, Crumlin, Dublin, was previously sentenced to 15 months fully suspended for his role in the offences.; Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the matter for sentencing until October 13.
Defendant
Charges: two counts of selling a protection-defeating device and one count of possessing a protection-defeating device on dates between September 2017 and September 2018; infringing a copyright without the consent of the owner at a location in County Dublin on a date between March and September, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the matter for sentencing until October 13.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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