15 retail outlets targeted in nationwide piracy operation

15 retail outlets have been targeted across nine counties in an enforcement operation to clamp down on people using so-called "dodgy boxes" to access illegal streaming services.

FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) one of the UK and Ireland’s leading IP protection organisations, said its agents, alongside representatives from Sky, delivered legal notices to retailers in Kerry, Louth, Laois, Mayo, Donegal, Kilkenny, Wexford, Meath, and Cavan last month.

The targeted outlets were found to be either selling subscriptions to illegal streaming services, supplying devices configured to access them or referring customers to resellers via phone numbers or advertising materials.

All have been given a deadline to stop these activities or face further action. To date the vast majority have responded to the legal notices and have agreed to cease their illegal activities.

This is the first time enforcement teams have focused directly on retail outlets.

The move recognises that shops are a crucial gateway for consumers being drawn into illegal streaming and that disrupting activity at street level is key to protecting the public.

Since March 2023, almost 70 illegal services across Ireland have closed on foot of action by FACT and its partners, as well as the disruption of tens of thousands of unlawful streams.

Kieron Sharp, Chairman of FACT, commented: “This operation shows that we are actively targeting every link in the illegal streaming supply chain. When shop owners sell illegal streaming devices, subscriptions or act as referral points to providers, they are supporting criminal organisations and generating criminal profits.

“FACT will continue to work with partners to identify, disrupt and shut down this activity across Ireland.”