Clare-based 'dodgy box' operators shut down amid latest clampdown across Ireland

Households in Clare which rely on illegal 'dodgy boxes' are at risk of a TV blackout or may have already lost their services following the latest clampdown on operators.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) has confirmed that legal notices were served on 13 operators of illegal TV streaming services across Ireland in recent weeks.

At least one of the operators is based in Clare, the organisation has revealed. It has not been disclosed where in the Banner County they are based or how many 'customers' they had.

The notices, relating to the provision of so-called 'dodgy boxes' were issued during an operation over two weeks in December, instructed the operators to immediately stop their illicit streaming activities or risk facing the consequences, including criminal prosecution.

According to FACT,  the 13 legal notices were served on operators in a number of counties, including Clare, Clare Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Offaly, Clare, Westmeath and Laois. "They were delivered in person, by post and through email and the outcome has been successful, resulting in services being shut down, deleted social media profiles, subscriptions being terminated and paid settlements agreed," said a spokesperson.

Many households in Clare use illegal streaming services rather than paying for premium subscription services such as Sky Sports, Disney + and Netflix. 

READ ALSO: Enterprise Ireland boss to leave agency and join Clare-based company

December's operation was the fourth wave of enforcement action since March 2023. To date,  almost 70 illegal services in Clare and around the country have been closed down across the country.

According to FACT, the action is having an impact on the piracy landscape in Ireland, with more operators being identified than ever before, with more illegal services being disrupted impacting tens of thousands of end-users who would have watched the streams.

The organisation has added that such piracy networks are often linked to organised crime, with their profits potentially funding other illegal activities.

Kieron Sharp, Chairman of FACT, commented: “Together with our partners we will continue to identify and take action against Illegal IPTV service providers. They are breaking the law, making criminal profits and putting consumers at real risk of malware, data loss and identity theft.   

"We want to protect consumers from these risks and operations such as this ensure the message goes out. It is not scaremongering; these are real criminal actions which consumers and their families are exposed to."

FACT, whose investigations and operations are ongoing, says there have been a number of successful prosecutions in Ireland relating to illegal streaming - resulting, in some cases, in the imposition of prison sentences.