According to the
Irish News, which carried the story exclusively on its front page this
morning, "dissident republicans have been monitoring the officer's
movements after getting hold of her mobile phone which contained
hundreds of photographs and text messages relating to PSNI operations,
her relationships and her whereabouts." ONH said that while the officer
had been monitored the decision had been made "not to target her."
ONH has carried out several attacks on PSNI personnel as well as army personnel, including both bomb and gun attacks. After apparently gleaning any useful information from the photos, ONH called the Irish News using a recognized code word, and passed on the photos from the phone, published in today's issue. The Irish News also passed the photos on to the PSNI.
The PSNI have stated to BBC News, however, that because it was a personal mobile that was lost, that it was not considered a 'security breach,' and that the officer had reported the phone lost at the time.
Whether or not this is a 'breach' under the PSNI Code of Conduct, it calls into question the safety of security of PSNI officers carrying their personal mobiles and engaging in social networking activities.
What do you think about this story? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
For more, click over to BBC New Northern Ireland or pick up today's Irish Times.
