Irish Civil Servant Yevgen McKeeffe Accused of Leaking State Secrets, Denied Bail

Yevgen McKeeffe, 45, an Irish civil servant originally from Ukraine, was refused bail by Judge Máire Conneely at Dublin District Court on Saturday. He is accused of leaking confidential government information to a foreign intelligence service, following an investigation by the Garda Special Detective Unit (SDU).

McKeeffe, an executive officer, was arrested on Thursday afternoon at Dublin Airport attempting to leave the country with a one-way ticket. He faces charges under section 9 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for unlawful use of a computer in his employment, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence. Further charges under the Official Secrets Act may be brought.

Detective Sergeant Shay Palmer objected to bail, stating McKeeffe was about to fly to Turkey and then to a final destination to meet a contact and share sensitive information. McKeeffe allegedly obtained or transferred official department data for personal gain, receiving payments equivalent to €250–€260 in foreign currency into his mother’s account. He had accessed the department's organizational structure, personnel details, and website information, photographing and sending them via Telegram.

Palmer highlighted McKeeffe's significant flight risk, noting he used four name variations, had family in Ukraine’s Donbas region, no familial ties to Ireland, and was carrying €5,650 cash and a one-way ticket upon arrest. McKeeffe had signed the Official Secrets Act in 2016. His defense argued he had strong ties to Ireland through his job and mortgage, and that the Official Secrets Act was not explained in detail. However, the judge deemed him a flight risk and denied bail. His next hearing is at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday.