FBI: Irish duo are top hackers

The FBI has accused two Irish students of being among the ringleaders in one of the world’s most disruptive internet hacking organisations.

Donncha O’Cearrbhail, aged 19, from Birr, Co 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.

While Mr O’Cearrbhail was in Garda custody last night Mr Martyn, under the alias info_dox, took to Twitter to say he was frightened but would “keep on smiling while I am still walking about”.