Ireland Commissioner and Justice Minister reject review of acquitted gardaí's Limerick trial
Five defendants, Eamon O'Neill, Colm Geary, Tom McGlinchey, Michelle Leahy and Anne-Marie Hassett, were charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice over the termination of road traffic Fixed Charge Penalty Notices after requests from members of the public not to issue fines. The Director of Public Prosecutions decided to bring the charges on evidence compiled by the NBCI, and the trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court reached its ninth week. On Monday 29 January 2026, shortly after 2.15pm, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all 39 counts after six hours and seven minutes of deliberation, and Judge Roderick Maguire described the trial as very long and difficult. Two of the gardaí remain suspended, although the DPP directed that there should be no prosecution in their cases. On 1 February 2026 the Garda Commissioner and Justice Minister pushed back on the Taoiseach's call for a review of the case.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Acquitted29 Jan
2 reports - Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The case concerned the termination of road traffic tickets after members of the public asked gardaí not to issue fines.
- Where
- The trial was held at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
- When
- The verdicts were read out shortly after 2.15pm on Monday 29 January 2026.
- Cause
- The defence argued that the gardaí were using their power of discretion to halt minor prosecutions.
- Investigation
- The case was led by the NBCI, and the Taoiseach called for a review of it.
- Charges
- The Director of Public Prosecutions decided to bring the charges based on evidence compiled by the NBCI.
- The allegations concerned penalties for speeding, holding a mobile phone while driving, having no insurance and not wearing a seatbelt being squared away.
- In court
- The trial had entered its ninth week before the verdicts.
- The jury deliberated for six hours and seven minutes in total.
- A unanimous jury returned not guilty verdicts on 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
- Five defendants, a former superintendent and four serving gardaí, were cleared; one source calls the superintendent retired.
- Judge Roderick Maguire thanked the jury and court staff and described the trial as very long and difficult.
- Sentence
- No sentence was imposed because all counts ended in acquittals.
- Other details
- Two gardaí remain suspended, although the DPP directed that there should be no prosecution in their cases, and have been out of work for five years.
- On 1 February 2026 the Garda Commissioner and Justice Minister pushed back on the Taoiseach's call for a review of the case.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe case concerned the termination of road traffic tickets after requests by members of the public to gardaí not to issue fines. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe verdicts were delivered at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe verdicts were read out shortly after 2.15pm on a Monday afternoon. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationThe Taoiseach called for a review of the case, which was led by the NBCI. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe allegations concerned penalties for offences such as speeding, holding a mobile phone while driving, having no insurance and not wearing a seatbelt being squared away. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe Director of Public Prosecutions decided to bring the charges based on evidence compiled by the NBCI. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe jury deliberated for six hours and seven minutes in total. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe trial had entered its ninth week. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtFour serving gardaí were cleared of perverting the course of justice in a Limerick court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court cleared the officers and a retired superintendent. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe defence argued that the gardaí were using their power of discretion to halt minor prosecutions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherJudge Roderick Maguire thanked the jury and court staff and described the trial as very long and difficult. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherTwo gardaí remain suspended although the DPP directed that there should be no prosecution in their cases. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe two suspended gardaí have been out of work for five years. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Feb2026Garda Commissioner and Justice Minister push back on Taoiseach's call for review into garda trial
Reports the Garda Commissioner's and Justice Minister's response to the Taoiseach's call for a review, the acquittals, and that two gardaí remain suspended.
accusedaccusedaccusedaccusedaccused - 29 Jan2026Limerick garda trial’s gripping and emotional conclusion inside and outside the courtroom
Reports the jury verdict of not guilty on all 39 counts, the six hours and seven minutes of deliberation, and the reaction in court after the verdicts were read out.
accused, Eamon O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eamon O'Neillaccused, Colm Geary, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Gearyaccused, Tom McGlinchey, named, irish (judged from name)Tom McGlincheyaccused, Michelle Leahy, named, irish (judged from name)Michelle Leahyaccused, Anne-Marie Hassett, female, named, irish (judged from name)Anne-Marie Hassett