Courts / Dublin / Report
Civil Servant's sacking upheld after data breach and discovery of 'unauthorised computer' in passport office basement
Summary
A civil servant, Declan Cosgrave, has lost his challenge to his dismissal from the Department of Foreign Affairs following a data breach and the discovery of an unauthorised computer in the basement of the Passport Office in Dublin in 2022. The Workplace Relations Commission upheld the Department's decision to sack him, citing sustained unauthorized access to the restricted passport database. Cosgrave, who had worked for the State for 37 years, denied deliberately breaching the secure access system. The State argued that his explanations for the logins were not credible and that he had accessed the database over a prolonged period, violating IT policies. The tribunal found that the Department had followed fair procedures and that dismissal was a reasonable response. The data breach was uncovered after an unauthorized computer was found in the basement, leading to an investigation that revealed the use of compromised credentials to access the database.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Civil Servant's sacking upheld after data breach and discovery of 'unauthorised computer' in passport office basement. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- September 2023 Other
- 16 December Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-03-06 Publication
Why: She said there were "reasonable grounds" for the finding of serious misconduct against Mr Cosgrave and accepted the position that the prospect of a demotion or a transfer were "not reasonable or practicable" because of the trust and confidence concerns that had arisen. CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
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