Cease-and-desist notices have been sent to sellers of so-called ‘dodgy boxes’ in Galway which provide users with low-cost access to premium TV services.

An organisation on behalf of Sky and a number of other operators has written to those accused of ‘illegally’ streaming premium content such as Premier League soccer – and is threatening further legal action.

The UK-based Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) issued a statement this week stating that were working in partnership with “broadcasters and law enforcement” to “disrupt and shut down organised and sophisticated piracy networks”.

And they’re vowing to take legal proceedings against individuals selling devices such as Fire Sticks loaded with everything from Sky Sports to GAA Go.

However, a garda source told the Connacht Tribune this week that those working in the Galway Division were not under any instructions to orchestrate a ‘crackdown’ on the sale or usage of dodgy boxes.

Gardaí were not in a position to enter anyone’s home to check if their service was legitimate without a warrant, they said, and had “far greater priorities than pursuing people for using dodgy boxes”.

Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.