In the latest clampdown on dodgy boxes, 15 retail outlets that help provide the service were targeted across nine counties.

But the question still remains: can you really stop dodgy boxes?

Chairman of the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) Kieron Sharp said that while media piracy may seem like a victimless crime, streaming services still rely on subscription revenues to provide their services.

“If everyone was to do this, then we wouldn’t have all of the content that we can enjoy in our leisure time,” he told The Hard Shoulder.

“The films and the TV programmes and the live sport and all that has to be paid for and it comes in such fantastic high definition quality now.

“And with the ability to watch it on the move any anytime you like.

“So, we wouldn’t have any of that if people weren’t prepared to pay for it.”

According to Mr Sharp, “all sorts of people within the chain” are being targeted to bring down the system of piracy.

A computer hacker

However, presenter of Newstalk’s Home Show and consumer columnist with the Irish Independent Sinéad Ryan pointed out that the cost of streaming services can become exorbitant.

“The minute you add in sports packages, those premium channels that people want to see, you’re well over €100 [a month],” she said.

“You add in extra devices, multi-room, you’re up again.

“Then, of course, we know that some sports channels are dealing with different streamers, they’re not all on Sky, they’re not all on Terrestrial.

“You could be in to four, or over €500 a month paying for these.”

Sinéad said she’s “not defending people doing this for money”, but she said it is clear that high costs make it a lot easier for consumers to justify their use of dodgy boxes.

Main image: TV Remote with Dedicated Netflix Button in front of Defocused Smart TV Allard Schager / Alamy