A man accused of hacking into a computer parking system has become the first person to be charged under new legislation introduced in 2017 to prevent cyber crime.
David Young (28) of Cois na hAbhann, Cloyne, Co Cork, appeared before Cork District Court where he was charged with intentionally accessing an information system without lawful authority or reasonable excuse by infringing a security measure.
Mr Young is alleged to have carried out the offence between 4 and 5 September 2018.
He was also charged with intentionally hindering or interrupting the functioning of an information system at the Vodafone Data Centre at Clonshaugh Business and Technology Park in Dublin.
The offence involves allegedly altering data between 22 May and 3 September 2018.
The accused was also charged with operating a computer with the intention of making a gain for himself and others and causing a loss to others in Cork city between 20 May and 9 September 2018.
He was also charged with making a demand with menaces by threatening to release information from 12,000 customer accounts with Park Magic Mobile Solutions to make a gain for himself. The State alleges that the offence occurred on 5 September, 2019 at an unknown location in Cork.
Mr Young was also charged with five counts of dishonestly obtaining parking credit to the value of €270 between 28 May and 17 August, 2018.
Cathryn Young (54) of Ashford, Healy's Bridge, Carrigrohane, Co Cork also appeared before the court.
Ms Young, who is the mother of David Young, was charged with a total of five counts of dishonestly obtaining parking credit totalling €212. The five offences were alleged to have occurred in Cork city between 11 June and 24 August, 2018.
Meanwhile, Conor Lydon (27) of Rineen, Cork Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork was also charged with five counts of dishonestly obtaining parking credit, totalling €194. The State alleges the offences occurred in Cork at dates between 5 June and 24 August, 2018.
Detective Garda Paul Fitzpatrick of the Garda National Cyber Crime Unit gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to all three accused. He told Judge Olann Kelleher that none of the three made any replies to the charges when they were put to them under caution.
Sgt Pat Lyons said the DPP had directed that Mr Young should be tried on indictment at Circuit Court level. However, he said gardaí had no objection to Mr Young being remanded on bail pending his trial.
Sgt Lyons said the DPP had directed that both Ms Young and Mr Lydon would be dealt with on a summary basis at District Court level. He said gardaí had no objection to either party obtaining bail in the case.
Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor for Mr and Ms Young, said that it might assist in the speeding up of the case, if he could receive a précis from gardaí of the State's case against his clients. Sgt Lyons said that gardaí would furnish Mr Buttimer with same.
Judge Kelleher adjourned the case against both Mr and Ms Young until 22 February. He also remanded Mr Lydon, who was represented by solicitor Colm O'Rourke, to that date.
All three were remanded on bail until their next court appearance. The charges followed a two year probe by officers from the Garda National Cyber Crime Unit.
