Wednesday 28 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. 4301Obstruction of a Garda (failure to disclose passwords) · Co. Dublin

Yavor Poptoshev told to enter plea on password disclosure charges at Dún Laoghaire District Court

Yavor Poptoshev, a 49-year-old Bulgarian man, is accused of failing to give gardaí the passwords to devices seized in a search of his apartment in January 2024. He is charged with obstruction of a Garda, and Judge Anne Watkin at Dún Laoghaire District Court directed him to enter a plea on 5 February. The case was delayed by unsuccessful challenges in the High Court and the Supreme Court, where he argued the 2001 Act did not allow authorities to compel password disclosure. At a District Court appearance reported on 16 December 2025, his solicitor and counsel came off record, he is no longer in the jurisdiction, and he has not yet secured new representation.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Yavor Poptoshev, a 49-year-old Bulgarian man, is accused of failing to provide gardaí with passwords to devices.
Where
The devices were seized during a search of Poptoshev's apartment in County Dublin.
When
The search of the apartment took place in January 2024.
Charges
Poptoshev is charged with obstruction of a Garda by allegedly failing to disclose passwords.
In court
  • Judge Anne Watkin of Dún Laoghaire District Court directed Poptoshev to enter a plea on 5 February.
  • At a District Court appearance reported on 16 December 2025, his previous counsel and solicitor came off record.
Other details
  • Poptoshev is no longer in the jurisdiction and has not yet secured new representation.
  • The case was delayed by unsuccessful challenges in the High Court and the Supreme Court.
  • Poptoshev is a friend and business associate of the jailed solicitor Michael Lynn, whom he has known for 14 or 15 years.
  • Poptoshev worked with Michael Lynn on projects in Portugal, Hungary and Slovakia.
Cause
Poptoshev argued that the 2001 Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act did not give authorities power to compel password disclosure.
Sentence
No plea has been entered and no sentence has been reported.
5 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe search of the apartment took place in January 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Anne Watkin of Dún Laoghaire District Court directed Poptoshev to enter a plea on 5 February. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe case was delayed by unsuccessful challenges to the High Court and Supreme Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPoptoshev argued the 2001 Act did not give authorities power to compel password disclosure. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPoptoshev had known Michael Lynn for 14 or 15 years and worked with him on projects in Portugal, Hungary and Slovakia. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Dec2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Michael Lynn associate Yavor Poptoshev told he must enter plea at next court appearance

    Reports a court appearance where the judge fixed 5 February for entering a plea or setting a trial date; previous counsel came off record; Poptoshev is no longer in the jurisdiction and has not yet secured new representation.

    accused, Yavor Poptoshev, 49, male, Bulgarian, named, non-irishYavor Poptoshev