Ireland Case No. 3694Unauthorised access to personal data (malware)
Man in 50s charged over malware used to access student data at 3rd level institution
A male in his 50s was charged with multiple offences after the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau investigated his use of malware to gain unauthorised access to student personal data at a 3rd level educational institution. He was arrested on 20 March 2026 and appeared before District Court 4, Criminal Courts of Justice.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested2 Mar
- Charged28 Feb
2 reports - In court1 Mar
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports39 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí from the Divisional Drugs Unit in Cork City seized €200,000 worth of suspected cannabis (garda.ie)
- whatA car was stopped and searched at Glanmire (garda.ie)
- whatTen kilos of cannabis with an estimated street value of €200,000 was seized (garda.ie)
- whatA woman aged in her 40s was arrested (garda.ie)
- whatMampeme Mikamibua, 27, was charged with burgling a house in Co Meath with intent to commit rape. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSuspected ketamine with an estimated street value of €63,000 was seized from a car. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whatA man in his 20s was arrested. (galwaybeo.ie)
- what€5,000 in cash and a quantity of cocaine were seized in Dublin 15. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereThe seizure and arrest took place in Glanmire, Cork (garda.ie)
- whereThe accused has an address at Lagore Crescent in Dunshaughlin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe alleged burglary took place at a property at Lagore Lawns. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe car was stopped at Bóthar na dTreabh, Galway. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereA follow-up search was carried out at a residential property in Dublin 15. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenThe alleged burglary took place on Wednesday, 25 February 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe investigation commenced following a complaint and information received from the institution in late 2023. (garda.ie)
- whenThe male was arrested on the morning of 20 March 2026. (garda.ie)
- whenThe seizure took place on 1 March 2026. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe operation was conducted in conjunction with Gardaí from the Eastern Region (garda.ie)
- investigationThe seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing (garda.ie)
- investigationThe GNCCB has been investigating the activities of an employee at a 3rd level educational institution involving the use of malware facilitating unauthorised access of student personal data. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí carried out searches at the educational institution and at a private domestic address of the suspected offender in 2024. (garda.ie)
- investigationA male aged in his 50s was arrested and detained in May 2025 following analysis of devices seized during searches. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe GNCCB has and continues to engage with identified victims and the 3rd level educational institution. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe man was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe man was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. (galwaybeo.ie)
- investigationThe arrest was part of ongoing investigations into the sale and supply of drugs in the region by the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit. (galwaybeo.ie)
- chargeThe woman was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 (garda.ie)
- chargeThe woman was subsequently charged (garda.ie)
- chargeHe is charged under section 12(1)(a) of the Theft and Fraud Act. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe DPP directed that the suspect be charged with multiple offences connected with the investigation. (garda.ie)
- courtShe is scheduled to appear before Cork District Court on 2 March 2026 at 10:30am (garda.ie)
- courtHe appeared at Navan District Court on Friday, 27 February 2026, before Judge Eirinn McKiernan. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe accused made no reply to the charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge McKiernan refused the bail application and remanded the accused in custody to appear at Trim District Court the following Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge directed the accused receive urgent medical and psychiatric treatment while in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was to appear before District Court 4, Criminal Courts of Justice on 20 March 2026. (garda.ie)
- sentenceHe faces up to 14 years in prison upon conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Mar2026Galway gardai arrest one and seize 63k worth of Ketamine after vehicle stopped
Garda press release detailing the arrest, drug seizure in Galway, follow-up search in Dublin 15, and release without charge with file to be prepared for the DPP.
suspect, 20s, male - 1 Mar2026An Garda Síochána investigation into alleged use of Malicious Software (Malware) for unauthorised access of personal data at a 3rd Level Educational Establishment
Garda press release announcing the charging of a male in his 50s with multiple offences related to malware used to access student data at a 3rd level institution; investigation began in late 2023 following a complaint from the institution.
accused, 50s, male - 1 Mar2026First image of man charged with burgling Meath house with intent to commit rape
First report of the charge and court appearance; bail refused and accused remanded to Trim District Court.
accused, Mampeme Mikamibua, 27, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mampeme Mikamibua - 28 Feb2026Operation Tara: Seizure of €200,000 Cannabis and Arrest, Glanmire, Cork, 28th February 2026
Initial Garda press release reporting the seizure, arrest, detention under the Drug Trafficking Act, and the woman's scheduled court appearance.
suspect, 40s, female