BT and Arnotts operator to pay €2,000 over spam marketing

The operator of Arnotts and Brown Thomas department stores will pay €2,000 after admitting to five offences involving unwanted marketing emails.

The Data Protection Commission prosecuted Brown Thomas Arnotts Limited in Dublin District Court. The company faced 21 charges under Ireland’s electronic communications and privacy regulations but pleaded guilty to five.

Two charges concerned unsolicited emails sent to two women on 3 December 2024 and 28 February 2025, despite neither woman having given prior consent. Three other offences involved marketing emails sent to three men on 31 May, 4 July and 28 August 2025. Those messages did not include a valid address allowing recipients to opt out and request that the communications stop.

Judge Anthony Halpin took account of the guilty plea and said he would apply the Probation of Offenders Act, meaning the company would avoid a recorded conviction, if it donated €1,000 to Little Flower Penny Dinners and paid €1,000 toward prosecution costs. The case was adjourned until 5 October, when the court will confirm that the payments have been made and finalise the matter. Prosecutors withdrew the remaining 16 counts.