The operator of an illegal ‘dodgy box’ TV streaming service has been given a 16-month prison sentence for the possession of over €900,000 in criminal proceeds from the business, writes Seán McCárthaigh.
Ciaran Donovan, 42, a married father-of-four, pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing the proceeds of crime contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
The businessman had operated King Kong Media – a company which provided an illegal TV streaming service by charging customers for codes to access pay TV channels such as Sky Sports and BT Sports.
Donovan, from Ashfield, Kildare Town, pleaded guilty to possession of €470,511 which had passed through bank accounts linked to King Kong Media between January 2016 and March 2022, following an investigation that had been initiated by Sky TV‘s antipiracy unit.
The accused subsequently pleaded guilty to two similar charges earlier this month, relating to €239,989 in a …