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. 11312Corruption · Co. Limerick · 22 Dec 2018

Corruption trial hears audio of talks on garda probes

Stephen O'Sullivan, a 42-year-old man of Farrehy, Broadford, Co Limerick, and a director of Bawn Motors, is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty to one count of corruption. The offence is alleged to have taken place at Bruree, Co Limerick, on 22 December 2018, when he was allegedly accused of giving detective garda David Bourke €20,000 in exchange for information about a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation. The trial is ongoing: on day two, on 29 January 2026, the jury heard audio recorded on 22 December 2018 of the two men discussing garda investigations. No verdict has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Stephen O'Sullivan has pleaded not guilty to one single count of corruption.
Where
The alleged offence took place at Bruree, Co Limerick.
When
The alleged offence took place on 22 December 2018.
Charges
  • O'Sullivan is accused of giving, or agreeing to give, a detective garda a monetary gain as an inducement.
  • O'Sullivan is accused of giving detective garda David Bourke €20,000 in exchange for information.
Cause
The alleged inducement was to reveal confidential information about a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation into Stephen Bawn Motors trading as Bawn Motors.
Other details
O'Sullivan is a director of Bawn Motors.
Investigation
  • Detective Superintendent Seamus Nolan told the jury that in November 2017 gardaí set up a significant investigation, called Operation Glacier, that targeted several individuals including the defendant.
  • The trial heard recordings of audio surveillance of the two men discussing garda investigations.
In court
  • The plea was entered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
  • The trial is ongoing, and on day two, on 29 January 2026, audio recorded on 22 December 2018 was played to the jury.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatO'Sullivan has pleaded not guilty to one single count of corruption. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offence took place at Bruree, Co Limerick. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence took place on 22 December 2018. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation into the business was codenamed Operation Glacier and involved CAB and local gardaí. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe trial heard recordings of audio surveillance of the two men discussing garda investigations. (rte.ie)
  • chargeO'Sullivan is accused of giving or agreeing to give a detective garda a monetary gain as an inducement. (rte.ie)
  • chargeO'Sullivan is accused of giving a detective €20,000 in exchange for information. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe plea was entered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe trial continues before the jury on the following Tuesday. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe investigation concerned Stephen Bawn Motors trading as Bawn Motors. (rte.ie)
  • otherO'Sullivan is a director of the business. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jan2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Corruption trial hears audio of talks on garda probes

    Day two of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial. Detective Superintendent Seamus Nolan described Operation Glacier, and audio recorded on 22 December 2018 was played to the jury.

    accused, Stephen O'Sullivan, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen O'Sullivan