Two men bailed after questioning over PSNI data breach

Rob Freeman, PA

Two men arrested by detectives investigating a data breach which published personal data on all serving members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have been released on bail.

The force confirmed the men, aged 21 and 22, were arrested under the Terrorism Act following a search in the Portadown area on Saturday.

They were taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Avine Kelly said: “We continue to work toward establishing those who possess information and will take action to ensure that any criminality identified is dealt with robustly to keep communities, and our officers and staff who serve them, safe.”

Details of around 10,000 PSNI officers and staff was mistakenly published last month in response to a freedom of information request.

The PSNI has confirmed the list, which included the surname and first initial of every employee, their rank of grade, where they are based and the unit they work in, is in the hands of dissident republicans.