Ireland Case No. 0069Breach of Official Secrets Act, breach of Data Protection Act, disclosing confidential information · Co. Dublin · 11 Jul 2025
McKeeffe sent for non-jury trial over Dublin Official Secrets Act charges
Yevgen McKeeffe, a 46-year-old Irish citizen originally from Ukraine, is accused of leaking confidential government information to handlers in a foreign intelligence service via the Telegram app between 11 July 2025 and 28 May 2026. He was arrested at the departures area of Dublin Airport on 28 May 2026 while carrying €5,650 and a one-way ticket to Turkey, and was charged by the Garda Special Detective Unit with four offences including two under the Official Secrets Act. He was refused bail in the District Court and again on appeal to the High Court, and the DPP directed the case to proceed on indictment. On 23 October 2026, he was sent forward for a non-jury trial in the Special Criminal Court, where he denies all four charges.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 May
11 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The accused is alleged to have leaked confidential government information to handlers in a foreign intelligence service via the Telegram app, including pictures of department documents, website lists, organisational structures, and staff details.
- He allegedly received payments equivalent to €250–€260 in a foreign currency, paid into his mother's account.
- Where
- He was arrested in the departures area of Dublin Airport on 28 May 2026 while carrying €5,650 in cash and a one-way ticket to Turkey.
- When
- The alleged offences took place between 11 July 2025 and 28 May 2026.
- Investigation
- The case was investigated by the Garda Special Detective Unit, which seized electronic devices and documents from his home and workplace, and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau examined his mobile phone.
- Charges
- He faces four charges: two under the Official Secrets Act, one under the Data Protection Act, and one under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 for unlawfully disclosing confidential information from a government department.
- In court
- He was refused bail at Dublin District Court on 30 May 2026 and again on appeal to the High Court in June 2026.
- The DPP directed the case to proceed on indictment and certified that the ordinary courts were not suitable, with the trial to be held in the Special Criminal Court.
- On 23 October 2026, he was sent forward for a non-jury trial in the Special Criminal Court at Cloverhill District Court.
- Other details
- He is a civil servant in an information management technology section, has no prior criminal convictions, and denies all four charges.
- Reporting restrictions prevent publication of his address, the government department where he worked, the overseas country involved, and the information allegedly disclosed.
- He is an Irish citizen originally from the Donbas area of Ukraine, who has lived in Ireland since 2002 and changed his name by deed poll to a more Irish one.
166 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)
- whatHe was charged under section nine of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for the unlawful use of a computer in his employment (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe worked in an information management technology section, having previously been in the IT section (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly created an Excel file with personal details of staff in the department (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe sent pictures to a handler using the Telegram app on his mobile phone (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly printed off a list of websites controlled by the department, photographed them and sent them to his handler (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe had access to familiarisation events and agendas and sent pictures, PDF documents and videos from his phone and home (irishtimes.com)
- whatHis phone contained a picture of the partial hierarchical organisational structure at his workplace including management (irishtimes.com)
- whatA civil servant is accused of leaking sensitive government information to a hostile foreign power. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe civil servant is accused of leaking confidential government information to handlers in a foreign intelligence agency. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA civil servant is accused of passing government information to a foreign intelligence service. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was attempting to leave the country with a one-way ticket. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was allegedly about to leave to meet a contact and provide sensitive information that would place the State at risk. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatYevgen McKeeffe, aged 46, is a civil servant accused of breaking the Official Secrets Act. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA Dublin civil servant is accused of leaking sensitive government information to a hostile foreign power. (thejournal.ie)
- whatHe is an IT worker who has lived in Ireland for 24 years. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe had previously changed his name by deed poll to a more Irish one. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was to proceed to his final destination to meet his contact and share confidential information that could create risk to the Irish state. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe held an Irish passport and two other non-Irish travel documents. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA civil servant is accused of leaking sensitive State information to a hostile foreign power. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe accused appeared at Dublin District Court. (rte.ie)
- whereHe was arrested in the departures area of Dublin Airport. (thejournal.ie)
- whereHe was arrested at departures in Dublin Airport. (thejournal.ie)
- whereHe was arrested in the departures area at Dublin Airport on 28 May while carrying €5,650 and a one-way ticket. (thejournal.ie)
- whereHe was arrested at the departures area of Dublin Airport on 28 May. (thejournal.ie)
- whereMcKeeffe was arrested at the departures area of Dublin Airport. (thejournal.ie)
- whereHe was arrested at Dublin Airport while attempting to leave the State. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe accused was arrested on Thursday afternoon at departures in Dublin Airport. (thejournal.ie)
- whenHe was arrested on Thursday afternoon at departures in Dublin Airport (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenHe was arrested on 28 May. (thejournal.ie)
- whenHe was arrested in the departures area at Dublin Airport on 28 May 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- whenHe had been in Ireland lawfully since 2002 and progressed to citizenship. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged offences took place between July 11th, 2025 and May 28th, 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- causeHe was arrested as he was about to fly to Turkey. (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)
- 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)
- investigationHis desktop computer was seized from his workplace and an audit log was downloaded (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau examined his mobile phone (irishtimes.com)
- investigationIt was claimed that he sent information to a handler in a foreign jurisdiction via the Telegram app. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationHe was arrested as he attempted to leave the country carrying €5,650 and a one-way ticket. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe case was investigated by the Garda Special Detective Unit. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationAn intelligence-led investigation was launched about a week before the bail hearing. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe investigation was carried out by the Special Detective Unit. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSDU Detective Sergeant Shay Palmer made the arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAn intelligence-led investigation was launched into him the previous week. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Special Detective Unit opened an intelligence-led investigation that led to his arrest as he was about to fly to Turkey. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized electronic devices and documents during a search of his home computer. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí seized his desktop computer from his workplace. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationIt was claimed he sent documents, pictures or videos to a handler in a foreign jurisdiction via the Telegram app. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Special Detective Unit investigated the case. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe SDU opened an intelligence-led investigation that led to the arrest as he was about to fly to Turkey. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe Special Detective Unit ran an intelligence-led investigation that led to his arrest. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- chargeHe was charged under Section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for unlawful use of a computer in his employment. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.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)
- chargeOn conviction, the charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe made no reply to the charge. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe Garda Special Detective Unit charged him with four offences committed between 11 July 2025 and 28 May 2026. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe first charge is under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 for unlawfully disclosing confidential information from a government department. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe also faces a charge of breaching the Data Protection Act. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe Special Detective Unit first charged him under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for unlawful use of a computer. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe original charge was withdrawn and replaced with four new allegations covering offences between 11 July 2025 and 28 May 2026. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe first new charge is under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 for unlawfully disclosing confidential information from a government department. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe also faces a charge of breaching the Data Protection Act and two counts under the Official Secrets Act. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMcKeeffe was charged under Section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for the unlawful use of a computer. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe SDU charged him with four offences between 11 July 2025 and 28 May 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe first charge is under the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 for unlawfully disclosing confidential information from a specific government department. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe faces two counts under the Official Secrets Act for retaining official data and communicating it prejudicially to the safety and preservation of the State. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is accused of two breaches of the Official Secrets Act, breaching the Data Protection Act, and disclosing confidential information from a government department. (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- 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 refused bail by Judge Máire Conneely at Dublin District Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtHis next hearing would be at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- courtHe was refused bail after appearing in court on Saturday. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA four-week remand in continuing custody was required, and the defence consented. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA High Court bail application was in progress. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe is due to appear again via video link on 30 June unless granted bail. (thejournal.ie)
- courtReporting restrictions prevent the reporting of his address, the specific government department where he worked, and the overseas country implicated. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe appeared at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe is applying for bail at the High Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 30 June for directions from the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case would proceed on indictment at a higher level. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case resumed at Cloverhill District Court, where the judge noted the trial would be held in the Special Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe DPP stated that the trial will be held in the Special Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe has been a remand prisoner since 30 May, when bail was denied. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was remanded in continuing custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on 25 September. (thejournal.ie)
- courtAt Cloverhill District Court, the case was upgraded. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case proceed on indictment to a higher court, and a book of evidence must be served before he is returned for trial. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in continuing custody to appear again on Friday. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe was denied bail in the District Court two days after his arrest and again in June on appeal to the High Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe was denied bail in the District Court two days after his arrest. (thejournal.ie)
- courtBail was refused again in June on appeal to the High Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was listed for DPP directions, but they were not available. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe defence applied for a strike-out, saying it was the fifth time the matter was before the District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge refused the strike-out application. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was ruled peremptory against the State, so progress was needed on the next date or it would be struck out. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in continuing custody to appear again on 25 August. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed the case to proceed on indictment at a higher level. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP stated the trial will be held in the Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was remanded in continuing custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 25 September. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions certified that the ordinary courts were not suitable for the administration of justice in this case. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was served with a book of evidence at Cloverhill District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was remanded in continuing custody. (irishtimes.com)
- courtNo date has yet been set for his appearance before the Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceOn conviction, the offence is punishable by a maximum 10-year sentence. (irishmirror.ie, 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)
- 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 is an executive officer, a junior management grade in the Civil Service (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe was originally from Ukraine but has Irish citizenship (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had signed the Official Secrets Act when he started working in 2016 (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had used four other variations of names (irishtimes.com)
- otherAt the time of arrest he was carrying €5,650 in cash and a one-way ticket (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had no prior criminal convictions (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had been in Ireland lawfully since 2002 and had progressed to citizenship (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had an Irish passport and two from his homeland, all under his original name (irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- otherHe allegedly sent pictures of department information to a handler using the Telegram app on his mobile phone. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe allegedly received payments equivalent to €250–€260 for his efforts, paid into his mother's account. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe defence said he had no prior criminal convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHis address cannot be published following a court order. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHis department cannot be published. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe changed his name by deed poll. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe is 45 years old. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe is originally from the Donbas area of Ukraine. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe is an Irish citizen. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe foreign intelligence service cannot be referenced due to a court order. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIt was claimed he sent information to a handler in a foreign jurisdiction via the Telegram app. (thejournal.ie)
- otherGardaí said he received payments in a foreign currency equivalent to €250–€260, which were lodged into his mother's account. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe denies the allegations. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe defence said he had changed his name to a more Irish one and had ties to Ireland through his job, friends and a mortgage. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe was attempting to leave the country carrying €5,650 and a one-way ticket. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí allege he received payments equivalent to €250 to €260 in a foreign currency, lodged into his mother's account. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe court heard he had signed the Official Secrets Act when he started his employment. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe defence said he had changed his name to a more Irish one and had ties to the country through his job, friends and a mortgage. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe has no prior convictions and denies the charges. (thejournal.ie)
- otherReporting restrictions bar journalists from revealing the overseas country involved and the information allegedly disclosed. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe had no prior convictions and denies the charges. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe came to Ireland because he was gay and faced discrimination beforehand. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe remains suspended from work pending the outcome of the case. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe is alleged to have received payments in a foreign currency equivalent to €250–€260. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe denies the four allegations against him. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Oct2026Non-jury trial for civil servant accused of leaking sensitive information to hostile power
Reports that McKeeffe was sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court, with details of his arrest at Dublin Airport, the DPP's certificate that ordinary courts were unsuitable, evidence of payments received, and his travel plans to Turkey.
accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 46, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe - 28 Aug2026Civil servant to face non-jury Special Criminal Court over alleged leaks to foreign handler
DPP directed trial to Special Criminal Court; accused remanded in custody since 30 May; next appearance 25 September at Cloverhill District Court; defence highlighted three months in custody and called for expedition
accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 46, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Yevgen McKeeffe - 1 Aug2026DPP faces strike-out deadline in case of civil servant accused of leaking to foreign power
Reports the 11 August 2026 District Court listing: DPP directions were unavailable, the judge refused the defence strike-out application, the case was made peremptory against the State, and the accused was remanded in custody to 25 August.
accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 46, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe - 1 Aug2026Civil servant arrested for leaks to hostile foreign power charged with breaking Official Secrets Act
Reports the charges were upgraded at Cloverhill District Court to four new allegations, including under the Official Secrets Act, the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 and the Data Protection Act. Adds the DPP direction, remand, bail refusals, the investigation details and the defence response.
accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 46, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe - 1 Aug2026Civil servant faces non-jury Special Criminal Court over alleged data leaks to hostile country
Reports the DPP's decision that the case will be tried in the Special Criminal Court, the four charges, the remand to 25 September, and details of the alleged handler, payments and searches.
accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 46, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe - 2 Jun2026Civil servant accused of passing government info to foreign intelligence
Details of the arrest at Dublin Airport, the charge under section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, the SDU investigation, the court-ordered restrictions on publishing his address, employer and the foreign intelligence service, and the High Court bail application.
accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 45, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe - 1 Jun2026Bail bid 'in progress' for civil servant accused of leaking government information to foreign power
Reports the accused's second court appearance, a four-week remand, a High Court bail application in progress, the charge under Section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, and details of alleged data sharing with a foreign handler. Further Official Secrets Act charges could be brought.
accused, Yevgen McKeeffe, 45, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe - 1 Jun2026Civil 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 - 30 May2026Civil servant accused of leaking confidential information to foreign ‘handlers’, court hears
Details of the initial District Court bail hearing on 30 May 2026 where Judge Máire Conneely refused bail, including evidence of photographed organisational structures, Excel files with staff details, Telegram messages to a foreign handler, payments of €250-€260 in foreign currency to his mother's account, and the fact that he was carrying €5,650 in cash and a one-way ticket at arrest.
suspect, Yevgen McKeeffe, 45, male, Irish, named, irishYevgen McKeeffe - 30 May2026Civil 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 - 1 May2026Dublin 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