Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10313Perverting the course of justice · Co. Limerick

Charges withdrawn against three Limerick gardaí in perverting justice case

In 2019 three Limerick gardaí, Peter O'Donnell, Paul Baynham and Niall Deegan, were suspended from the Limerick Garda Divisional Roads Policing Unit after a probe into alleged unlawful interference with road traffic prosecutions. The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation led the probe, and the three men were charged with 33 counts of perverting the course of justice. Two of them were later told that their suspensions, imposed six years earlier, had been lifted, and O'Donnell retired from the force about a month before the withdrawal. On 26 March 2026 the State withdrew all 33 charges by nolle prosequi, entered by prosecuting barrister Carl Hanahoe at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Three Limerick gardaí, Peter O'Donnell, Paul Baynham and Niall Deegan, were charged with perverting the course of justice.
Where
The alleged offences relate to the Limerick Garda Division and the Limerick Garda Divisional Roads Policing Unit.
Cause
The three gardaí were suspended in 2019 after a probe into alleged unlawful interference with potential or pending road traffic prosecutions.
Investigation
The probe was led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Charges
The three gardaí were charged with 33 counts of perverting the course of justice.
Other details
  • Two of the gardaí, Paul Baynham and Niall Deegan, were later told that their suspensions, imposed six years earlier, had been lifted.
  • Peter O'Donnell retired from the force about a month before the withdrawal, according to the key facts; the article says about a month before its publication on 26 March 2026.
When
The charges were reported as withdrawn on 26 March 2026.
In court
Prosecuting barrister Carl Hanahoe withdrew all charges by entering a nolle prosequi at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • causeThe three gardaí were suspended in 2019 after a probe into alleged unlawful interference with road traffic prosecutions. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationThe probe was led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe State withdrew 33 charges against three gardaí. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe charges were for perverting the course of justice. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtProsecuting barrister Carl Hanahoe withdrew all charges at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court by entering a nolle prosequi. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherTwo of the gardaí were told their suspensions, imposed six years earlier, had been lifted. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherGarda Peter O’Donnell retired from the force about a month before the withdrawal. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Mar2026
    Otherlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Charges dropped against three Limerick Gardaí as six-year suspensions lifted

    Reports that the State withdrew all 33 charges against three gardaí by nolle prosequi, that two of them had their suspensions lifted, and that one has retired. Also describes earlier acquittals of four other accused gardaí and a retired superintendent in a separate January trial, which are not included as people.

    accused, Peter O'Donnell, named, irish (judged from name)Peter O'Donnellaccused, Paul Baynham, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Baynhamaccused, Niall Deegan, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Deegan