Coveney claims to have previously been hacked.

Yesterday, Coveney claimed he deleted the messages to free up space on his phone. When it was pointed out that this was not an issue, he suddenly claims he was hacked?. Which was it Simple Simon? You needed to free up space? or because you were hacked in the past?

It's neither as Coveney is a sneaky lying bollix.

It's past sorting out. The only option left is for Coveney to resign.

According to Pearse Doherty it's an offence that he can be charged with.

what is going on with posts in this thread being deleted?

He's been a Minister of some description for the last 10 years. Even if he claims it happened before that when did he report this crime to the Gardai and what was the outcome of the investigation? Theres so many unanswered questions, if he was hacked while a MInister and didnt report it to the Special Branch that on its own is a national security issue and certainly a potential resigning matter for the current Minister of Defence who is not taking national security seriously.

I was going to say something similar. He was hacked before becoming a minister and has done nothing about improving his security since.

Surely there's a central system that records data from all "official state" devices and backs it up in case of "accidental" deletion. Would have been handy for Martin Callinan and Noreen O Sullivan. They could have proved their innocence.

He was in his hole hacked. Its like me telling my teacher that my dog ate my homework.

How does deleting text message from known contacts protect you from a hack or phishing from someone else?

Does everyone you know report a crime to the Gardai when their phone/Facebook/WhatsApp has been hacked/scammed/imitated?

In our company we are constantly doing cyber security training, which includes a nice little test, and have a cyber security hotline, were we have to report even any suspicious activity.

If a company phone or laptop got hacked, then yes we are obliged to report it immediately.

No. But they're not the minister for foreign affairs. Tbh, if my phone was hacked, as long as my bank details weren't affected, I prob wouldn't bother reporting it. Change phone and move on.

But, if there's sensitive data on a Govt minister's phone..and he must think so if he's the one saying that's why he deletes things...if its hacked, he has a duty to report it. End of.

Same for anyone with a device that contains sensitive data or other peoples information. If my work phone was hacked, and there was the potential for customers details, financials etc to be accessed, I have a duty to report it and make them aware. As a precaution.

Never mind being the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence.

To come up with an excuse that's so easy to verify, is amateur hour.

So he's saying he's responsible enough to routinely delete his messages because he's was hacked. But not responsible enough to notify his boss, relevant State agancies, anybody in possession of any documents and the Gardaí / Department of Defence. Come off it.

Did he say his phone was hacked before? I didn't pick that up from the interview.

Ok, get that.

What I was wondering was, could he fix it himself and carry on? There doesn't seem to have been any reports of a senior ministers phone being breached or an investigation.

In your opinion could he have fixed it and carry on?

One other question, can a phone be hacked with the purpose of monitoring what somebody is doing and the owner never know about it?

It's only a few short months ago that a phishing email caused the biggest attack on our infrastructure in history costing tens of millions and more than likely lives.

And here's the Merchant of Cork dealing with a 'hack' on his govt communications device by 'deleting texts'...and not immediately reporting the matter to our security authorities.

So basically if he logged into a sensitive government resource the hacker would also have access?

There should be one. It's not rocket science, I know someone who works for a government agency. If he takes "his" jeep to the off licence at 9.55, his bosses will know.

How can it be so hard to record all ministerial correspondance on a database?

But by him doing that you would be doing Britain's bidding. You understand that?

There is a reason they hate him more than anyone else in our government.

They hate him because he is head and shoulders above any of their ministers.

Is it an acceptable sacrifice over something like this? i don't think it would be. Not for the country.

I think you and others would be doing Britain's bidding.

Simple as that.

To what end?

He represents us well.

What is to be gained?

I'm not saying there should not be sanction but ffs getting rid of Coveney would be so fcuking stupid when there are serious Brexit issues coming as soon as next month. Surely you can see that?

The Brits KNOW that. Mark my words.