Courts / Dublin / Report
'Naive' dodgy box provider who paid tax on illicit gains avoids jail
Summary
Michael McGrane, 47, was given a suspended sentence of two years and three months after a judge found he had run 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, as well as to unlawful use of a computer. He admitted that the scheme ran from September 2017 to September 2018, generating just over €29,000 in profit, which he had paid tax on. The judge noted that McGrane appeared naive or reckless, had no prior convictions, and had cooperated with Gardaí. A forfeiture order of €27,665 was made, the seized items were ordered destroyed, and McGrane was prohibited from engaging in electronic streaming devices. The sentence was fully suspended, with no custodial time imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Naive' dodgy box provider who paid tax on illicit gains avoids jail. 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
- 2023-10-13 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.
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: Photo: Collins) By Jessica Magee and Fiona Ferguson A judge has handed down a suspended sentence to a man who set up two 'dodgy box' companies providing illegal access to television content, including Sky Sports, after finding that he appeared to be naive or reckless in his offending.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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