Like Martyn, Donncha O’Cearrbhail is a 19-year-old Irish student with a strong interest in computers and information security. Mr. O’Cearrbhail (pronounced "O'Carroll") is currently studying medicinal chemistry at Trinity College in Dublin, reports the Irish Independent, and was a bronze medal winner in computer programming in the Irish Science Olympiads last year. He is the son of John Carroll, an independent city councillor from Birr, Ireland.
In a press release, the US claims that O’Cearrbhail was behind one of the most embarrassing incidents for international law enforcement officials: the hacking of a trans-Atlantic conference call between members of the FBI, Scotland Yard, and the Garda. The press release says that O'Cearrbhail, under the guise of "Palladium," reportedly hacked into the personal email account of a Garda officer, thereby learning how to access the Jan. 17 conference call. Once in the call, Palladium was able to make a recording of the conference, which he then distributed online.
O'Cearrbhail was arrested in connection with the US allegations on Tuesday, but was released yesterday while the case is prepared.
