Man Convicted of Terrorism Offences Linked to PSNI Data Breach
A man has been convicted of terrorist offences related to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) data breach that occurred in 2023.
Christopher Paul O'Kane, 53, from Iniscarn Road in Londonderry, denied charges including the preparation of terrorist acts and possession of articles for use in terrorism, which encompassed mobile phones and a laptop.
He also denied having documents or records intended for use in terrorism, specifically two spreadsheets containing details of serving PSNI officers and police staff officers.
At Belfast Crown Court on Monday, a senior judge convicted O'Kane, subsequently refusing a bail application and remanding him in custody pending sentencing.
The offences took place between 7 and 19 August 2023.
O'Kane had also pleaded not guilty to viewing online videos related to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and their detonation during the period from 1 to 19 August 2023.
Background of the Data Breach
The data breach occurred in August 2023 when the PSNI inadvertently released the names of thousands of staff and officers in response to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request.
The released list included the surname and first initial of every employee, their rank or grade, their base location, and the unit in which they worked.
O'Kane was arrested 10 days following the data breach.
Trial Details and Prosecution Case
During a non-jury trial, prosecutors asserted that O'Kane engaged in a deliberate and concerted course of conduct following the mistaken release of the PSNI data.
The prosecution argued that O'Kane did not merely receive the information but actively sought it out and conducted an analysis of the data.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that the spreadsheet was present on O'Kane's devices, was opened, accessed, and subsequently manipulated by him.
It was also the Crown's case that O'Kane highlighted information regarding several police officers known to him and conducted a series of internet searches, including methods of remote detonation of explosive devices.
Defence Arguments
At trial, the defence contended there was no evidence that O'Kane intended to use any of the material for terrorist purposes and claimed that the internet searches were related to a planned family fireworks display.
O'Kane asserted that his interest in the material was solely political and intended for use as propaganda to highlight a significant failure by the PSNI.
Bail Refused and Conviction
Delivering judgement on Monday, Mr Justice Fowler described the defence argument as
"unsustainable" when set "against the compelling circumstantial case" presented by the Crown.
He added,
"Accordingly I convict the accused ... on all the counts on the bill of indictment."
The judge also refused a bail application, stating,
"These are serious offences and I'm remanding the defendant into custody."
A date for the sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
