Charges dropped against woman accused of disclosing confidential information

Charges have been dropped against a woman who had been accused of disclosing confidential information which had been accessed at a garda station.

Helena Bruton (aged 52) of Cluain Ri, Ashbourne, Co Meath faced a charge at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that on July 16, 2009, at Finglas Garda Station, she obtained access to personal data or obtained access to information constituting such data, without the prior authority of the Data Controller and that she disclosed the data or information to another person.

Today, the prosecuting counsel told Judge Patricia Ryan that the State are not proceeding with the case against Ms Bruton.

Her former co-accused Daniel Tarrant (aged 50) of Doon, Kiskeam, Mallow, Co Cork pleaded guilty last week to three charges of disclosing personal data without the prior authority of the Data Controller between December 23, 2008 and July 16, 2009.

Tarrant, a former garda, also pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a single barrel shotgun on October 9, 2009 at Cluain Ri, Ashbourne.

Tarrant’s plea came a week before he was due to stand trial on the charges. He was remanded on continuing bail until next November when he will be sentenced.