The court heard that the alarm was raised after a brand protection company in the UK became concerned that copyright material was being infringed. Photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish TimesA Co Meath man who set up two companies providing illegal access to television content including Sky Sports is to be sentenced next week.
The court heard that the alarm was raised after a brand protection company in the UK became concerned that copyright material was being infringed. Gardaí set up Operation Fleming to investigate, after they were alerted that customers buying boxes and streaming access were paying into Irish PayPal accounts.
McGrane was arrested and as it emerged that his wife had not been involved in the operations, charges against her were dropped. Costello pleaded guilty to infringing a copyright without the consent of the owner at a location in Co Dublin on a date between March and September, 2022. He also admitted dishonestly operating a computer with the intention of making a gain at his address during the same period.
Mr McGinn submitted a large amount of testimonials which he said spoke universally of McGrane as a fine, trustworthy, well-regarded and responsible member of society and an upstanding member of the community.