A TRIAL of four Gardaí and a retired Garda Superintendent, accused of a total of 42 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, is listed to go ahead before Limerick Circuit Court this Monday (November 10).
The five accused are retired Garda Superintendent Eamon O’Neill, formerly Roxboro Road Garda Station; Sergeant Michelle Leahy, Roxboro Road Garda Station; Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett, Kerry Garda Division, formerly Limerick; Garda Tom McGlinchey, Murroe Garda Station; and Garda Colm Geary, Clare Garda Division.
The charges were brought against the five accused following a lengthy investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).
It’s alleged the five accused attempted to pervert the course of justice on a number of occasions between October 9, 2016, and September 6, 2019, in relation to fixed charge penalty notices.
A pre-trial hearing last year heard that the trial may last up to eight weeks.
At that hearing, Judge Tom O’Donnell, now retired, granted the five accused legal aid to cover the cost of a documentary junior counsel to manage what was described as a complex case.
Retired Superintended O’Neill is charged with 30 of the 42 alleged offences; Sergeant Leahy is facing two charges; Sergeant Hassett is charged with three offences; Garda McGlinchey is accused of four charges; and Garda Geary is facing three charges.
According to the charges, the accused persons allegedly communicated with Gardaí and civilians about fixed charge penalty points relating to alleged road traffic offences including speeding, failing to produce insurance, holding a mobile phone while driving, failing to wear a seatbelt, and driving without insurance.
Detective Chief Superintendent Walter O’Sullivan, head of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), now retired, previously gave evidence before Limerick District Court of arresting and charging all five accused at Mayorstone Garda Station on April 29, 2021.
None of the five accused replied when charged.
All five accused have been on continuing bail since their arrest four years ago.
The trial is scheduled for today, meaning a jury will be selected from a jury panel before any evidence is heard.