Dublin civil servant charged under official secrets act over alleged leaks

The charges relate to alleged offences between 11 July 2025 and 28 May 2026.

One is under the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018, for unlawfully disclosing confidential information from a government department that cannot be named for legal reasons.

Another alleges a breach of the Data Protection Act. The remaining two are under the Official Secrets Act: retaining official data from that department, and communicating it, prejudicially to the safety and preservation of the State, to another person.

The Garda Special Detective Unit arrested McKeeffe at the departures area of Dublin Airport on 28 May.

He was carrying €5,650 and a one-way ticket, and was refused bail in both the District Court and the High Court.

Detective Sergeant Shay Palmer told that hearing an intelligence-led investigation led to the arrest as McKeeffe was about to fly to Turkey, alleging he was to travel “to his final destination where he would meet with his contact and share confidential information”.

RTÉ News reported that the accused, an IT worker, has lived in Ireland for 24 years, while The Journal confirmed the upgraded charges.

The DPP has directed that the case proceed on indictment, so a book of evidence must be served before McKeeffe is returned for trial.

He was remanded in continuing custody and is due back before the courts on Friday. Reporting restrictions bar the naming of his address, his department or the country involved.