Could you really go to jail for watching a ‘dodgy box’ in Ireland?

Sky chief warns of 'consequences' for watchers of illegal streams

Listen | 18:07

Two court cases this month will have signalled to those supplying so-called ‘dodgy boxes’ that there is a high penalty to be paid.A man who appeared before Trim District Court charged with selling the boxes was jailed for 3½ years, while in the High Court Sky Ireland alleged that another man may have earned up to €450,000 a year from operating a different dodgy service.These cases occur periodically as the law catches up with those selling the means to illegally watch content that broadcasters and streamers services charge for.But could people who buy these boxes be hauled before the courts?Sky Ireland chief executive JD Buckley has warned of “consequences for those identified as operating illegal services and for those who watch them”.Irish Times consumer affairs correspondent Conor Pope explains.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

Two court cases this month will have signalled to those supplying so-called ‘dodgy boxes’ that there is a high penalty to be paid.

A man who appeared before Trim District Court charged with selling the boxes was jailed for 3½ years, while in the High Court Sky Ireland alleged that another man may have earned up to €450,000 a year from operating a different dodgy service.

These cases occur periodically as the law catches up with those selling the means to illegally watch content that broadcasters and streaming services charge for.

But could people who buy these boxes be hauled before the courts?