12/12/2012

NI Submariner Jailed For Secrets Breach

A navy submariner originally from Northern Ireland has been sentenced to eight years in jail after offering secrets to MI5 agents posing as Russian spies.

Petty Officer Edward Devenney, 30, is originally from County Tyrone.

He was a communications engineer on a nuclear sub when he committed the security breach.

The court heard how Devenney gathered classified coding material and attempted to hand them over to enemies of the state.

He admitted breaching the Official Secrets Act

The court heard Devenney became disillusioned with the Royal Navy because his promotion hopes had been shattered as a result of defence cuts.

It heard he was drinking heavily and suffering from bouts of depression. He had also just been cleared of a rape charge.

The breach began when Devenney contacted the Russian Embassy to offer up information.

He then arranged to meet with two men posing as Russian agents in London.

The men were actually British intelligence officers who recorded their meeting.

Devenney told them he was "pissed off with the Navy" and did not want payment.

He was arrested in March in Plymouth where he was based.

(IT)

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