Man, 39, is arrested following major PSNI data leak: Detectives make arrest on suspicion of collection of information likely to be useful to terrorists

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A 39-year-old man has been arrested following a major data breach at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The suspect was detained after being arrested on suspicion of being in possession of information likely to be of use to terrorists following a search in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

He is being questioned by detectives at the Musgrave serious crime suite in Belfast.

It comes after the PSNI revealed last week that a document had mistakenly been shared online which included the names of about 10,000 officers and staff - including more than 660 officers working in intelligence, counter-terrorism and surveillance as well as those working for MI5.

Around 3,000 officers have since expressed concern for their safety in Northern Ireland, where police are under threat from terrorists - with the current level of threat assessed as severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. 

A 39-year-old man has been arrested following a major data breach at the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The suspect was detained after being arrested on suspicion of being in possession of information likely to be of use to terrorists 

Officers in Northern Ireland's force fear for their safety after the names of 10,000 staff were leaked in a data breach. Pictured: Members of the PSNI

The leaked document named officers working in the most sensitive roles, including those investigating dissident republican groups, close protection officers guarding politicians, judges and other VIPs from terrorists and others working in 'secret areas' of the force. 

Details released included the surname and first initial of every employee, their rank or grade, where they are based and the unit they work in. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Hill said today: 'We are working tirelessly to address the risk posed to officers and staff. Today's search operation, and subsequent arrest, is just one piece of a large-scale operation.

'We will continue in our efforts to disrupt criminal activity associated with this Freedom of Information data breach and to keep communities, and our officers and staff who serve them, safe.'

Last week, the PSNI revealed a document had mistakenly been shared online in response to a Freedom of Information request. 

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said this week he believed the information was in the hands of dissident republicans. 

Last than a week later a redacted version of the leaked document was posted on a wall near a Sinn Fein office in Belfast.

Gerry Kelly, a Sinn Fein Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, told the Mail on Monday that a version of the document had been posted overnight close to the Sinn Fein office on the Falls Road. 

The document included information about a substantial number of police officers and staff although their names had been removed. 

Film crews capture the remains of one of pages of the leaked police data posted on a wall overnight

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said this week he believed the leaked information was in the hands of dissident republicans. He is pictured on Monday

In an apparent intimidation bid, the document was accompanied by a photograph of Mr Kelly with the message: ‘Gerry, we know who your mates are.’ Mr Kelly is a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board which met last week to quiz Chief Constable Simon Byrne about the blunder.

He said: ‘There was a photograph of myself and then there was a statement saying in large writing: “Gerry, we know who your mates are.”

‘Under that there was what appeared to be, and what turned out to be, a section of the leaked documents that were put out.

READ MORE: New safety fears as list of PSNI staff is posted on wall near Sinn Fein office

Dissident republicans were accused of bragging that they have the name of every police officer in Northern Ireland after a list was posted on a wall

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‘It did not have the names of the police officers involved but it had everything else.

‘It wasn’t the whole 10,000 [names] but it was a substantial number. I look upon this as a threat by dissidents to me and I will not be intimidated.

‘More serious is that this is the dissidents, or whoever is involved, putting out that their claim that they have access to the leaked documents, they are putting out a verification on that. I think that is their main intention.’

Mr Kelly was once a prominent IRA member jailed for the Old Bailey bombing in 1973 which killed one person and injured 200.

He later broke out of the Maze Prison shooting a prison officer who survived an attempt to foil the escape.

But Mr Kelly went on to renounce violence and played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd confirmed on Monday that an investigation had begun into the posting of the list, which one former officer has likened to ‘dynamite for terrorists and criminals’.

Earlier this year, dissident republicans were blamed for the attempted murder of senior PSNI detective John Caldwell.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Primate of all Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, said he had spoken to Mr Byrne today to express his concerns about the data leak.

He said: 'In recent days I have spoken to several families and relatives of Catholic PSNI members.

'I wish to state my unequivocal support for all those who serve as police members or civilian support workers for the PSNI.

Gerry Kelly, a Sinn Fein Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, told the Mail on Monday that a version of the document had been posted overnight close to the Sinn Fein office on the Falls Road. Mr Kelly is pictured on Monday

'I have previously encouraged young people from the Catholic community to consider a career in policing. Today I reiterate this sentiment.

'For that reason I also call on everyone in the community to reject entirely those who would intimidate or threaten the courageous women and men - including those from the Catholic community - who selflessly choose this noble vocation of policing.'

He added: 'I am in no doubt that the future of peace and prosperity across the island of Ireland will depend upon respect and support for policing.

'Today I assured the Chief Constable that all members of the PSNI, and their families, are in my prayers at this time.'

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