Wednesday 28 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. 0285Unauthorised disclosure of PULSE data, inciting disclosure of PULSE data, drug trafficking · Co. Clare · 1 Jan 2020

Ex-garda and friend sentenced over unauthorised PULSE data disclosure on 14 female motorists in Co Clare

Between January and September 2020, ex-garda Shane Flanagan, 41, of Ennis, Co Clare, supplied PULSE identification data on 14 female motorists to his friend Colm Meere, 45, of Ennis, so Meere could view the women's Facebook profile photos. The offences came to light during a separate Garda investigation into Flanagan inciting strangers to rape a female colleague, for which he received a seven-year term in July 2025. In September 2026, both men pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Court, where Judge Francis Comerford sentenced Flanagan to nine months consecutive to his existing term and gave Meere a 14-month suspended term for inciting the disclosure and a separate 18-month suspended term for a drug trafficking offence committed in April 2022.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Sep
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Flanagan supplied PULSE identification data on 14 female motorists in Co Clare to Meere between January and September 2020 so Meere could view the women's Facebook profile photos.
  • Meere made requests over a nine-month period to get the names of registered owners of cars driven by females based on their registration plates.
  • Flanagan had 2,212 screenshots of PULSE records on his mobile phone, and Meere had a tick list, bag sealer, tin foil, scissors, baggies and a mobile phone in his possession.
Where
The PULSE data offences occurred in Co Clare, and the drug trafficking items were found at Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick.
When
The PULSE data was disclosed between January and September 2020, and the drug trafficking offence occurred on 14 April 2022.
Investigation
The PULSE data offences came to light as part of a separate Garda investigation into Flanagan inciting others to rape a female colleague.
Charges
Both men pleaded guilty to sample counts concerning the unauthorised disclosure of PULSE data, and Meere also pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking offence.
In court
The case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford, with Flanagan appearing via video-link from Midlands Prison.
Sentence
  • Flanagan was sentenced to nine months to run consecutively to the seven-year term he received in July 2025 for inciting strangers to rape a female colleague.
  • Meere was given a 14-month suspended prison term for inciting the PULSE data disclosure and a separate 18-month suspended term for the drug trafficking offence.
Other details
There was no evidence that Meere made contact with the women online, made Facebook friend requests, or sought them out, and none of the 14 women wished to make a victim impact statement.
32 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMeere made requests over a nine-month period to get the names of registered owners of cars driven by females he had seen at different locations, based on their registration plates. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMeere had in his possession a tick list, bag sealer, tin foil, scissors, baggies and a mobile phone. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFlanagan supplied PULSE identification data on 14 female motorists in Co Clare to a friend. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFlanagan appeared in court via video-link from Midlands Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFlanagan had 2,212 screenshots of PULSE records on his mobile phone. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMeere made requests over a nine-month period to get names of registered owners of cars driven by females from registration plates. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThere was no evidence of Meere making contact with the women online, making Facebook friend requests or seeking them out. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMeere pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking offence involving items found at Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick, on April 14, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe drug trafficking items were found at Henry Street Garda station, Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe Pulse data was disclosed between January and September 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe drug trafficking offence occurred on 14 April 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe unauthorised PULSE data disclosure occurred between January and September 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe unauthorised Pulse data offences came to light as part of a separate Garda investigation into Flanagan inciting others to rape a colleague. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe PULSE data offences came to light as part of the Garda investigation into Flanagan inciting others to rape a colleague. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBoth pleaded guilty to sample counts concerning the unauthorised disclosure of Pulse data on 14 female motorists. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFlanagan appeared in court via video-link from the Midlands Prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtInsp Paul English told the court about the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford at Ennis Circuit Court imposed a sentence of nine months on Flanagan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Comerford imposed a 14-month suspended prison term on Colm Meere, 45, of Knockanean, Tulla Rd, Ennis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceFlanagan was sentenced to nine months to run consecutively to the seven-year term he received in July 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMeere was given a 14-month suspended prison term for inciting Flanagan to give out the unauthorised Pulse data. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMeere received a separate suspended 18-month prison term for a drug trafficking offence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe nine-month sentence runs consecutive to the seven-year term Flanagan received in July 2025 for inciting strangers to rape a female colleague. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Comerford imposed a separate suspended 18-month prison term on Meere for the drug trafficking offence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNone of the 14 women wished to make a victim impact statement. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere was no evidence Meere made contact with the women online, made Facebook friend requests, or sought them out. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMeere is a married father of two. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFlanagan responded that the woman had some arse on her and that she is a teacher now. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMeere texted back that she can teach him anything she wants to teach him. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAll 14 women were contacted to see if they wished to make a victim impact statement but none elected to do so. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAt garda interview, Meere said 'I have a wife and kids and obviously I should not have been doing what I was doing' and called it 'stupid, male, egotistical behaviour'. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Sep2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Ex-garda sent female motorist info to friend who checked her out on Facebook

    Sentencing at Ennis Circuit Court. Flanagan received nine months consecutive to his July 2025 seven-year term for inciting strangers to rape a female colleague. Meere received a 14-month suspended term for inciting the PULSE data disclosure and a separate 18-month suspended term for a drug trafficking offence. The PULSE data offences came to light during the Garda investigation into Flanagan's sexual offences.

    convicted, Shane Flanagan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Flanaganconvicted, Colm Meere, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Meerevictim, female
  2. 16 Sep2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    ‘Her profile picture isn’t too shabby’: Ex-garda supplied Pulse data on female motorists to friend

    Sentencing details at Ennis Circuit Court including consecutive and suspended terms, the background of the investigation linked to Flanagan's earlier rape-incitement case, and Meere's separate drug trafficking conviction.

    convicted, Shane Flanagan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Flanaganconvicted, Colm Meere, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Meere