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An operator of an illegal “dodgy box” TV service which cost the operators of pay TV channels over €2m in lost revenue has been further remanded in custody pending the finalisation of sentencing in the case.
A sitting of Naas Circuit Criminal Court heard that the illegal service was continuing in operation.
Ciaran Donovan, 41 and from Ashfield, Kildare Town, Co Kildare, had been operating King Kong Media, a business which charged customers for codes to access TV streaming services from an app they were told to download through social media.
Donovan, who currently works as a crisps salesman, had been remanded in custody since 17 April, despite pleas by his legal representatives to allow him to remain on bail due to his family circumstances.
The accused has pleaded guilty to a single charge of possessing the proceeds of crime contrary to the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act from selling the King Kong Media app between January 2016 and March 2022.
The app which provided an illegal streaming service allowed viewers to access subscription TV channels from around the world including Sky Sports and BT Sports for an annual fee of around €70.
Counsel for the DPP, Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing BL, asked for the sentencing of Donovan to be deferred as the illegal service was still in operation.
Sentencing in the case was previously adjourned last month after Judge Martina Baxter was informed that Donovan had been charged with a fresh, related offence in the District Court.
Mr Ó Dúnlaing said it would be preferable if the court deferred sentencing in the case until the other related matter was also finalised.
He said it was expected a plea would be entered in the case by Donovan later this month.
However, counsel for the accused, Desmond Hayes BL, said Donovan wanted sentencing in the case before Naas Circuit Criminal Court to go ahead.
Mr Hayes also asked for the accused to be released on bail to deal with the issue of the service still being available.
However, Mr Ó Dúnlaing said Donovan could provide his counsel with a plan on how the continuation of the illegal service would be addressed.
Judge Baxter said she would adjourn finalisation of the case until any new charges had been dealt with.
The judge said she would also take into consideration any “material assistance” in her decision on what sentence Donovan would face.
Donovan was remanded in custody until a date at the end of the month.
The accused had given an undertaking last January to close down his illegal operation as part of his bail conditions.
Donovan claimed to have around 3,500 paying customers for his illegal service, although there was no way of tracking if they had taken out monthly or annual subscriptions.
The court heard that Donovan had admitted being involved in the illegal activity for five years, while a total of €470,511 had passed through bank accounts linked to his operation of King Kong Media.
Donovan has 41 previous convictions for a range of offences including public order, theft and road traffic offences as well as for the non-payment of a TV licence.
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