Ireland Eamon O'Neill and four gardaí hear closing speeches in perverting the course of justice trial
Retired superintendent Eamon O'Neill and four co-accused serving gardaí are in their eighth week of trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, facing 39 counts of unlawfully interfering in potential or pending road-traffic prosecutions involving 26 motorists between 2017 and 2019. The court is hearing closing speeches, with defence barristers arguing the case has a 'vicious undertone' and that the GNBCI investigation was unfair.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court21 Jan
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatLocal superintendents lost the power to cancel traffic tickets in 2014 when autonomy was reconfigured to the office of a cancelling authority in Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe five accused pleaded not guilty to 39 counts of engaging in conduct that tended or was intending to pervert the course of justice. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial has been ongoing for eight weeks of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtClosing speeches began on Wednesday and the prosecution's closing speech continues Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is in its eighth week before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtClosing speeches by barristers for Garda McGlinchey, Sgt Hassett and Sgt Leahy will be heard from Friday onwards. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe individuals involved included members of the Limerick senior hurling panel and a local politician. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe four serving gardaí have been on suspension for six years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNone of the accused were the detecting garda members exercising discretion. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Jan2026‘This case has a vicious undertone,’ says barrister for garda in penalty points trial
Reports on closing speeches in the eighth week of the trial. Defence barrister Felix McEnroy described the case as having a 'vicious undertone' and argued the GNBCI unfairly targeted O'Neill after a first investigation 'went nowhere'. Prosecution counsel Carl Hanahoe argued O'Neill gave 'preferential' treatment to people he knew. Closing speeches for the remaining three co-accused are due from Friday.
accused, male, irish (judged from name)accused, Anne Marie Hassett, female, named, irish (judged from name)Anne Marie Hassettaccused, Michelle Leahy, female, named, irish (judged from name)Michelle Leahyaccused, Colm Geary, male, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Gearyaccused, Tom McGlinchey, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tom McGlinchey - 21 Jan2026Trial of five gardaí who allegedly attempted to quash road traffic prosecutions reaching closing stages
Closing speeches began; prosecution barrister Mr Hanahoe argued the quashing of traffic tickets was based on personal connections ('who do you play for, and who do you work for') rather than legitimate discretion; jury told not to let sympathy for the accused (including four serving gardaí suspended for six years) affect their verdict; defence closing speeches to follow.
accused, male, irish (judged from name)accused, Anne Marie Hassett, female, named, irish (judged from name)Anne Marie Hassettaccused, Michelle Leahy, female, named, irish (judged from name)Michelle Leahyaccused, Tom McGlinchey, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tom McGlincheyaccused, Colm Geary, male, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Geary