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. 7444Selling and possessing protection-defeating devices; unlawful use of a computer · Co. Meath

Meath man pleads guilty over illegal TV access boxes and streaming

Michael McGrane (47), of Johnswood Drive, Ashbourne, Co Meath, is alleged to have sold customers unauthorised access to premium TV content, including Sky Sports, via streaming and altered set-top boxes between September 2017 and September 2018. Gardaí began Operation Fleming after alerts about payments into Irish PayPal accounts and concerns raised by a UK brand protection company, and searched his home under warrant in June 2018. McGrane pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of selling and one count of possessing a protection-defeating device, and admitted unlawful use of a computer between March and September 2018. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the matter for sentencing until 13 October, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted4 Oct
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
McGrane sold customers unauthorised access to premium TV content, including Sky Sports, via streaming and altered set-top boxes.
Where
McGrane is from Johnswood Drive, Ashbourne, Co Meath.
When
The protection-defeating device offences were committed on dates between September 2017 and September 2018.
Cause
The alarm was raised after a UK brand protection company became concerned that copyright material was being infringed, and alerts were made about payments into Irish PayPal accounts.
Investigation
  • Gardaí set up Operation Fleming to investigate the matter.
  • McGrane's home was searched under warrant in June 2018, and gardaí seized four laptops, two mobile phones, illicit boxes and financial documents.
Charges
  • McGrane pleaded guilty to two counts of selling a protection-defeating device and one count of possessing a protection-defeating device.
  • McGrane admitted to the unlawful use of a computer on dates between March and September 2018.
In court
The hearing took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Orla Crowe.
Sentence
Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the matter for sentencing until 13 October.
Other details
  • JarvisBox, one of two companies McGrane set up, was established in 2015 and made a turnover of €145,795 over a three-year period.
  • McGrane has no previous convictions and co-operated with gardaí throughout their investigations.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcGrane sold customers unauthorised access to premium TV content via streaming and altered set-top boxes. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe protection-defeating device offences were committed on dates between September 2017 and September 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí set up Operation Fleming to investigate after alerts about payments into Irish PayPal accounts. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMcGrane's home was searched under warrant in June 2018 and gardaí seized four laptops, two mobile phones, illicit boxes and financial documents. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMcGrane pleaded guilty to two counts of selling a protection-defeating device and one count of possessing a protection-defeating device. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMcGrane also admitted to the unlawful use of a computer on dates between March and September 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe hearing took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Orla Crowe adjourned the matter for sentencing until 13 October. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJarvisBox was set up in 2015 and made a turnover of €145,795 over a three-year period. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcGrane has no previous convictions and co-operated with gardaí throughout their investigations. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Oct2023
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Meath man who set up two companies selling ‘dodgy boxes’ to be sentenced next week

    First report of the case. The article covers McGrane's guilty pleas and the adjournment to sentencing. It also notes that a second man, Ken Costello, was sentenced earlier in a separate matter, so he is not listed here.

    convicted, Michael McGrane, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael McGrane