Detective describes feeling body and mind shutting down after PSNI data breach in court

A detective who observed the aftermath of an attempted assassination of his colleague, Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, feared he might also be targeted after a significant data breach at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the High Court has been told.

The court is hearing claims for damages from six individuals affected by the 2023 data breach.

During proceedings, the officer, identified as MTB13, described entering a state of "freefall" following the breach. He has spent nearly three decades investigating paramilitary bombings, shootings, and punishment attacks.

The breach occurred when PSNI accidentally released personal information of its 9,400 staff members in response to a Freedom of Information request.

MTB13 explained that he had installed false number plates on his car and had been photographed while leaving a police station. On another occasion, he was warned that crossing the Irish border to meet an associate could put his life at risk. Because of the extensive security measures needed to protect his family, he rarely socializes, conceals his profession, and avoids posting photos online. "I essentially live a double life; people could have thought I was a plumber," he said.

The court heard he was among the officers who responded after the attempted murder of Det Ch Insp Caldwell. MTB13 recounted seeing spent bullets around the vehicle and an ambulance at the scene. "As I ran up, they pulled a sheet over the gurney, and I thought John was dead," he said. He decided against getting into the ambulance, recalling that Caldwell would have urged him to continue his duties.

The next day, his young son asked if he would be the next target. Days later, the boy expressed a desire to carry a penknife for protection, which MTB13 described as "horrendous" as a father. Following the incident, he separated family and professional life into distinct "silos" to cope.

Months later, the court heard that the data breach exacerbated his mental health struggles. "It had always been me and my employers against the bad guys, but now my employer became the threat," he said. "It was chaos I was imploding and in freefall. I knew my body and mind were shutting down."

MTB13 also shared an experience during a family holiday in Portugal, where he encountered a Belfast solicitor he had previously worked with. He described the encounter as "something out of a James Bond movie," and took extreme precautions to avoid being seen, despite acknowledging that his fears were irrational. Throughout the holiday, he meticulously tracked his movements and elevator use due to anxiety.

The detective revealed he was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder and credited a therapist with helping him recover. He continues to suffer from paranoia and anxiety, and his home security has been fortified to high levels. "I developed a real anger towards my employer I loved my job, but I couldnt trust them," he said.

The PSNI has accepted responsibility for the breach but currently cannot cover the compensation claims. A request for 119 million from the government, submitted by the Department of Finance at Stormont, was declined. The leaked information was published online and later accessed by dissident republicans.

Author: Zoe Harrison