Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9273Unlawful use of a computer (leaking sensitive government information) · Co. Dublin

Civil servant denied High Court bail over alleged leaking to foreign power

Yevgen McKeeffe, aged 45 according to RTE and 46 according to TheJournal, is a civil servant accused of leaking confidential government information to a foreign intelligence service. He was arrested at the departures area of Dublin Airport on 28 May 2026 as he was about to fly to Turkey, following an investigation by the Garda Special Detective Unit. He was charged under Section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act with unlawful use of a computer in his employment, and on 30 May Judge Máire Conneely at Dublin District Court refused him bail. On 23 June 2026 a High Court judge also refused bail, holding that the State had established grounds to deny it.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A civil servant, an executive officer in a junior management grade, is accused of leaking confidential government information to a foreign intelligence service.
Other details
  • He is aged 45 according to RTE and 46 according to TheJournal, and is an Irish citizen originally from Ukraine according to RTE.
  • He was carrying €5,650 and a one-way ticket when arrested, and it is alleged he received payments of €250 to €260 in foreign currency.
  • TheJournal says he worked in an information management technology section of a Government Department, while RTE says he worked in two Government departments.
  • He remains suspended from work pending the case.
  • Reporting restrictions bar the media from revealing his address, the government department where he worked, the overseas country and the information allegedly disclosed, and a defence application to stop the media naming him was refused.
Where
He was arrested on Thursday 28 May 2026 in the departures area of Dublin Airport as he was about to fly to Turkey.
Investigation
  • The Garda Special Detective Unit investigated the case and seized electronic devices and documents during a search of his home.
  • It is alleged he sent information to a handler in a foreign jurisdiction via the Telegram app.
Charges
He was charged under Section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act with unlawful use of a computer in his employment, an offence carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years on conviction.
In court
  • Judge Máire Conneely refused him bail at Dublin District Court on 30 May 2026.
  • He has not indicated a plea and legal aid was granted.
  • He appealed to the High Court, where a judge on 23 June 2026 held that the State had established grounds for denying bail; TheJournal's listing date is 1 June 2026.
  • He is due before Cloverhill District Court by videolink on Tuesday.
27 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA civil servant is accused of leaking sensitive government information to a hostile foreign power. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe accused appeared at Dublin District Court. (rte.ie)
  • whereHe was arrested in the departures area of Dublin Airport. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenHe was arrested on 28 May. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeHe was arrested as he was about to fly to Turkey. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe case followed an investigation by the Garda Special Detective Unit. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
  • investigationHe was arrested on a Thursday afternoon at departures in Dublin Airport. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized electronic devices and documents during a search of his home. (rte.ie)
  • investigationIt was claimed that he sent information to a handler in a foreign jurisdiction via the Telegram app. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged under Section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for unlawful use of a computer in his employment. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years on conviction. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged under section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for unlawful use of a computer. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtHe has not indicated a plea. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge refused bail. (rte.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was granted. (rte.ie)
  • courtHe is due before Cloverhill District Court by videolink on Tuesday. (rte.ie)
  • courtHe was denied bail in the District Court and then appealed to the High Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe High Court judge held that the State had established grounds for denying bail. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe defence says he denies the charge and the case will go to trial. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHe is accused of leaking confidential government information to a foreign intelligence service. (rte.ie)
  • otherHe had worked in an information management technology section of a Government Department. (rte.ie)
  • otherReporting restrictions prevent the media from revealing his address, the department where he worked, or the overseas country implicated. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge denied a defence application to stop the media naming the accused. (rte.ie)
  • otherHe was carrying €5,650 and a one-way ticket when he was arrested. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherIt was alleged he received payments in a foreign currency equivalent to €250–€260. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe court imposed reporting restrictions on his address, the government department, the overseas country and the information allegedly disclosed. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHe remains suspended from work pending the case. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Civil servant accused of leaking to 'hostile' foreign power denied High Court bail

    Reports the High Court bail ruling on 23 June 2026, the charge, the arrest at Dublin Airport on 28 May, and the evidence the State put before the court. Also records the reporting restrictions the judge imposed.

    accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 46, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe
  2. 30 May2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Civil servant accused of leaking data to foreign agency

    First report of the court appearance: the charge under Section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, the refusal of bail, the Special Detective Unit investigation, and reporting restrictions on the accused's address, department and the overseas country.

    accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 45, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe