Ireland High Court orders Google to disclose details of people behind Tánaiste cryptocurrency scam ads
Tánaiste Mícheál Martin is the subject of advertisements that falsely linked him to a cryptocurrency scam, suggesting he endorsed a trading program and was making tens of thousands of euro every day. The ads appeared on prominent Irish websites, and the people who paid for them are unidentified, with no suspects named, no arrests and no criminal charges. Google's own legal action against Mr Martin was struck out with no order as to costs. The most recent development is that the High Court, after Mr Martin's lawyers went to court the week before, ordered Google to hand over subscriber, payment and IP address details within 21 days of the order being perfected.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Dec
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Google was ordered by the High Court to hand over any details it holds about people who paid for ads falsely linking Tánaiste Mícheál Martin to a cryptocurrency scam.
- The ads suggested Mr Martin was endorsing a cryptocurrency trading program and making tens of thousands of euro every day.
- Where
- The ads appeared on prominent Irish websites.
- Cause
- The ads linked to a fraudulent scheme designed to target vulnerable people, the court was told.
- When
- Mr Martin's lawyers went to court the week before the order was made to identify those involved.
- Google must provide the information within 21 days of the order being perfected.
- Investigation
- No suspects are named in the case.
- Charges
- The proceedings are a civil High Court matter, not a criminal charge, and no one has been arrested or charged.
- In court
- Mr Justice Mark Sanfey made the order directing Google to hand over basic subscriber information.
- The order also requires Google to reveal the financial accounts or services used to pay for the ads and any IP addresses used to access the accounts.
- Google's legal action against Mr Martin was struck out with no order as to costs.
- Other details
- Mr Martin may take legal action against anyone identified in the information provided.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGoogle was ordered by the High Court to hand over details about people who paid for ads falsely linking Tánaiste Mícheál Martin to a cryptocurrency scam. (rte.ie)
- whatThe ads suggested Mr Martin was endorsing a cryptocurrency trading program and making tens of thousands of euro every day. (rte.ie)
- whenMr Martin's lawyers went to court the week before the order was made. (rte.ie)
- whenThe information must be handed over within 21 days of the order being perfected. (rte.ie)
- courtMr Justice Mark Sanfey made the order directing Google to hand over basic subscriber information. (rte.ie)
- courtThe order also requires Google to reveal financial accounts or services used to pay for the ads and any IP addresses used to access the accounts. (rte.ie)
- courtGoogle's legal action against Mr Martin was struck out with no order as to costs. (rte.ie)
- otherThe ads appeared on prominent Irish websites and linked to a fraudulent scheme designed to target vulnerable people. (rte.ie)
- otherMr Martin may take legal action against anyone identified in the information provided. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Dec2023Google ordered to give details on Tánaiste scam
Civil High Court order, not a criminal charge. No suspects are named. Google was ordered to provide the identities and account details behind the ads within 21 days of the order being perfected.
victim, Mícheál Martin, male, irish (judged from name)Mícheál Martinsuspect