Former CEO: Claims over data are untrue

Lawyers for a businessman accused of threatening to publicly divulge the names, addresses, and bank details of Vodafone customers unless paid €135,000, told the High Court yesterday the allegation was “untrue and outrageous”.

Barrister Declan Murphy said the claim, made by a consultancy marketing firm against its former chief executive, Seán McGrath, was one of extortion and had been publicised in a newspaper as blackmail.

He said Mr McGrath had complied with interim court orders restraining any publication of details and would later seek to have the court orders discharged on the grounds of falsehood.