Ireland Court told illegal 'dodgy box' service still operating as sentencing of Ciaran Donovan deferred
Ciaran Donovan (41), a married father of two from Ashfield, Kildare, pleaded guilty last July to money laundering arising from selling an app linked to the King Kong Media illegal streaming service between January 2016 and March 2022, and is in custody awaiting sentence. He faces further charges over the same operation. At the Circuit Criminal Court in Naas on 10 May 2024, the prosecution asked for sentencing to be deferred, and the judge put it back until the new charges have been dealt with, while the court heard the illegal "dodgy box" service is still operating.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- An illegal "dodgy box" streaming service linked to King Kong Media is still operating, a court was told.
- Donovan sold an app in Ireland that gave access to the illegal international streaming service.
- Where
- The hearing took place at the Circuit Criminal Court in Naas, Co Kildare, before Judge Martina Baxter.
- When
- The app was sold between January 2016 and March 2022.
- The hearing was reported on 10 May 2024.
- Other details
- The suspect is Ciaran Donovan, a 41-year-old married father of two from Ashfield, Kildare.
- Bank accounts linked to the operation saw a total of €470,511 pass through them.
- The estimated loss to Sky from affected customers is more than €2 million, and the article also cites losses to BT Sports and other subscription TV services.
- Charges
- Donovan pleaded guilty last July to money laundering arising from selling the app.
- Donovan faces further charges in relation to the same operation, with a plea expected later that month.
- In court
- Prosecutor Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing asked for sentencing to be deferred until the further charges are dealt with.
- Donovan's barrister wanted sentencing to go ahead, but the judge did not agree.
- The judge put back sentencing until the new charges have been dealt with and will consider material assistance when deciding sentence.
- Sentence
- Donovan is in custody awaiting sentence.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAn illegal dodgy box operation is still in operation. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDonovan ran an app in Ireland that gave access to an international illegal service organised by others, most likely in the UK, which he paid. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe hearing took place in a court in Naas, Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe illegal app selling took place between January 2016 and March 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDonovan pleaded guilty last July to money laundering from selling an app linked to the King Kong Media illegal streaming service. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDonovan is facing further charges in relation to the same operation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDonovan's barrister said he wanted sentencing to go ahead, but the judge did not agree. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge put back sentencing until the new charges have been dealt with. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge will consider material assistance when deciding on sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe prosecution asked for the sentencing of a man involved in selling the illegal service to be deferred. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDonovan is in custody awaiting sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBank accounts linked to Donovan's operation saw a total of €470,511 pass through them. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe loss to Sky from the customers involved was estimated at more than €2 million. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 May2024‘Dodgy box’ service is still operating, court told as sentencing of man is deferred
Reports a Circuit Criminal Court hearing in Naas where sentencing was deferred until further charges are dealt with, and that the illegal service is still operating. Gives the amounts passing through bank accounts and the estimated loss to Sky.
convicted, Ciaran Donovan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Donovan