Man (45) accused of seven counts of hacking Garda National Vetting Bureau

Tom Tuite

A man has been granted bail after being charged with hacking the Garda National Vetting Bureau computer system four years ago.

Kian Kennedy, 45, appeared at Dublin District Court on Wednesday following an investigation by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB).

Kennedy, of Parkwest Plaza, Ballyfermot, Dublin, faces seven counts under sections 2 & 8(1) of the Criminal Justice (Offences Relating to Information Systems) Act 2017.

It is alleged that on February 2nd, 2022, at Garda National Vetting Bureau, Racecourse Road, Thurles, Tipperary, he did, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, intentionally access an information system by infringing a security measure.

GNCCB Detective Gareth Norton told Judge Conor Fottrell that the accused made no reply when charged on Wednesday morning.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has stated that the case should be dealt with at the District Court level if he pleads guilty. Otherwise, he will be tried in the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

There was no objection to bail with conditions, and Mr Kennedy was ordered to appear again in July to indicate a plea. Defence solicitor Niall O'Connor said his client's passport was out of date.

The bail terms state that he must not apply for a new one and must notify gardaí of any address or phone number changes.

Legal aid was granted after the judge noted from O'Connor that the accused was unemployed and on social welfare.