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. 9763Unlawful use of a computer (Theft and Fraud Offences Act) · Co. Dublin

Dublin civil servant refused bail over alleged leak to foreign intelligence service

Yevgen McKeeffe, a 45-year-old Irish man and Dublin civil servant, was arrested on a Thursday afternoon at departures at Dublin Airport, where Gardaí allege he was about to travel to meet a contact. He is accused of unlawfully using a computer in his employment, allegedly sending photographs of department documents and website lists via Telegram to a handler in a foreign jurisdiction and receiving payments of €250 to €260 in foreign currency. He was charged under section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, has not indicated a plea, and on Saturday at Dublin District Court Judge Máire Conneely refused him bail as a flight risk. The next hearing is at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Yevgen McKeeffe, a 45-year-old Irish man and civil servant, is accused of leaking confidential government information to handlers in a foreign intelligence service.
  • It was alleged he photographed department documents and department website lists and sent them via the Telegram app to a handler in a foreign jurisdiction.
  • It was alleged he received payments in foreign currency equivalent to €250 to €260, paid into his mother's account.
When
He was arrested on a Thursday afternoon; the exact date is not given in the sources.
Where
He was arrested at departures in Dublin Airport.
Cause
Gardaí allege he was about to travel to meet a contact and share sensitive information, which they say would place the State at risk.
Investigation
The case follows an investigation by the Garda Special Detective Unit, during which Gardaí seized electronic devices and documents from his home.
Charges
  • He was charged under section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act with unlawful use of a computer in his employment, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence on conviction.
  • He has not indicated a plea, and further charges under the Official Secrets Act could be brought.
In court
  • He appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday, where Judge Máire Conneely refused him bail, holding that he was a flight risk.
  • Sources differ on the hearing date: the key facts give Saturday, while the article dated 1 May 2026 gives the bail hearing as 30 May 2026.
  • The next hearing is at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday.
Other details
  • At arrest he was carrying €5,650 in cash and a one-way ticket.
  • Legal aid was granted to him.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is accused of leaking confidential government information to handlers in a foreign intelligence service. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatIt was claimed the accused sent pictures of department documents to a handler in a foreign jurisdiction using the Telegram app. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatIt was alleged the accused photographed and sent department website lists to his handler. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe accused allegedly received payments in a foreign currency equivalent to €250–€260, paid into his mother's account. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe accused was arrested on Thursday afternoon at departures in Dublin Airport. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeGardaí alleged the accused was about to travel to meet a contact and share sensitive information, which would place the State at risk. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe case follows an investigation by the Garda Special Detective Unit. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized electronic devices and documents during a search of the accused's home. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe accused has not indicated a plea. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was charged under section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for unlawful use of a computer in his employment. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeFurther charges under the Official Secrets Act could be brought. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday and was refused bail by Judge Máire Conneely. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe next hearing will be at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused was carrying €5,650 in cash and a one-way ticket at the time of arrest. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge held that the accused was a flight risk and refused bail. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherLegal aid was granted to the accused. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Dublin civil servant accused of leaking government information to a foreign intelligence service

    First report of the case. Covers the bail hearing on 30 May 2026, the charge, the arrest at Dublin Airport, the alleged evidence and the defence arguments. Further charges under the Official Secrets Act were said to be possible.

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