(1) A person who, knowing or suspecting that an application is to be made, or has been made, under section 14A for an order in relation to making available any particular material or material of a particular description, makes any disclosure which is likely to prejudice the making available of the material in accordance with the order is guilty of an offence.

(2) In proceedings against a person for an offence under this section it is a defence to prove that the person -

(a) did not know or suspect that the disclosure to which the proceedings relate was likely to prejudice the making available of the material concerned, or

(b) had lawful authority or reasonable excuse for making the disclosure.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable -

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, or