A former BBC journalist whose communications data was unlawfully obtained by MI5 has been awarded €23,442.54 in damages by a specialist tribunal. The Security Service previously admitted it breached the rights of Vincent Kearney, now the northern editor at RTÉ, when obtaining the data. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Metropolitan Police also made concessions during proceedings brought by Kearney at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT). Mr Bunting said Mr Kearney should receive “substantial” damages. McGahey continued that while the force did not object to the tribunal ruling that the PSNI breached Kearney and the BBC’s rights, it opposed the journalist being awarded damages as it would be unnecessary “to award just satisfaction”.