An assistant professor at UCD has appeared in court this morning charged with harassment and unlawfully accessing the personal data of students at the college.
Dr Stephen Davis, with an address at Elgin Wood, Bray, Co Wicklow, was arrested this morning following an investigation by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.
The 53-year-old who lectured in archaeology was charged with 148 offences and brought before Dublin District Court today.
Detective Garda Colin Noonan from the Garda Cyber Crime Unit gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
He told the court that he arrested Stephen Davis at his home in Bray this morning and when he cautioned him, the accused indicated he understood the caution and the reason for his arrest.
Dr Davis was taken to Kilmainham Garda Station where he was charged with 96 counts of unlawfully and intentionally accessed an information system by infringing a security measure contrary to the Criminal Justice (Offences Relating to Information Systems) Act 2017.
He was also charged with a further 51 counts of harassing over 50 victims and one count of using a piece of software to connect with other people's data.
The detective garda told the court that the charges related to the use of software to steal the passwords of students at UCD and access accounts.
He said their personal material was stolen and downloaded.
The court was told that Dr Davis is a British citizen and faces a total of 148 charges relating to over 100 victims.
There was no objection to bail and Dr Davis was released on his own bond of €100 on condition that he surrender his passport, sign on twice weekly at Bray Garda Station, stay away from Ballywaltrim Library in Bray and not contact any victims.
The court was also told that the victims were not to be identified and that the DPP has directed trial on indictment.
Judge Gerard Jones remanded Dr Davis on bail to appear again in court on 24 July.
The charges follow an investigation by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau into the alleged use of malicious software (malware) which facilitated access to student personal data.
Gardai said today the investigation commenced following a complaint and information received from the college in late 2023 and that searches had been carried out at the college and at a private domestic address in 2024.
Following analysis of devices seized during searches, gardaí arrested and detained a man in May 2025.
The DPP directed that the suspect be charged with multiple offences connected with the investigation.
The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau is continuing to engage with identified victims and the college involved in the investigation.
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