Cybercrime threat

As six suspected members of ‘hacktivist’ groups are named and face charges, the spotlight again shines on the shady world of internet hacking, writes Conall Ó Fátharta

THE news that two Irish teenagers have been accused of being central to one of the world’s foremost internet hacking groups has again shone a light into the fascinating and shady world of hacking.

Donncha O’Cearrbhail, 19, from Birr in Offaly, faces up to 15 years in prison, while Darren Martyn from Galway is facing 20 years. They have been named among six suspected members of “hacktivist” group Anonymous and splinter groups including LulzSec, Internet Fed, and AntiSec. They are accused, among other things, of hacking the Fine Gael website, the Fox broadcasting network and a Garda/FBI conference call.