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. 10638Unauthorised disclosure of Garda PULSE personal data · Co. Clare

Ex-garda to enter further pleas over PULSE data disclosure at Ennis court

Former garda Shane Flanagan, 39, with an address in Ennis, is charged with alleged unauthorised disclosure of Garda PULSE personal data on two individuals, with offences said to have occurred between 12 January 2020 and 24 September 2020. In October 2025 he pleaded guilty to two of the 14 PULSE counts at Ennis Circuit Court, and sentencing was due on 4 March 2026. The defence asked for sentencing to be adjourned because a psychiatric report is not ready, and Judge Francis Comerford deferred sentencing to a later date. On 4 March 2026 Flanagan appeared by video-link from prison, and the case was adjourned to 5 March 2026 for further pleas on the remaining counts and for a sentencing date to be fixed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Former garda Shane Flanagan, 39, is charged with alleged unauthorised disclosure of Garda PULSE personal data.
Where
The hearing took place at Ennis Circuit Court, County Clare.
When
The alleged offences were committed between 12 January 2020 and 24 September 2020.
Charges
  • Flanagan faces 14 PULSE counts relating to alleged disclosure of personal data on two individuals.
  • Flanagan first pleaded guilty to two of the 14 PULSE counts in October 2025.
  • The State said more pleas were expected on counts 2 to 13.
Cause
The defence asked for sentencing to be adjourned because a psychiatric report on Flanagan is not ready.
In court
  • Judge Francis Comerford deferred sentencing, which had been due on 4 March 2026, to a later date.
  • Flanagan appeared by video-link from prison on 4 March 2026.
  • The case was adjourned to 5 March 2026 for further arraignment on the remaining counts and for a sentencing date to be fixed.
Other details
  • Flanagan has an address in Ennis and turns 40 next month.
  • Flanagan was jailed last July in a separate case for inciting strangers to rape a colleague, which is not part of this case.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe hearing is at Ennis Circuit Court. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe defence asked for sentencing to be adjourned because a psychiatric report on Flanagan is not ready. (rte.ie)
  • chargeFlanagan is charged with alleged unauthorised disclosure of Garda PULSE personal data on two individuals. (rte.ie)
  • chargeFlanagan first pleaded guilty to two of the 14 PULSE counts, for offences between 12 January 2020 and 24 September 2020. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe State said more pleas were expected on counts 2 to 13. (rte.ie)
  • courtFlanagan appeared by video-link from prison. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford deferred sentencing to a later date. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to the next day for Flanagan to be further arraigned on the remaining counts and for a sentencing date to be fixed. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Mar2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Ex-garda to enter pleas over disclosure of PULSE data

    Reports that Flanagan first pleaded guilty to two of 14 PULSE counts, that more pleas are expected on counts 2 to 13, and that sentencing is deferred. Also notes he was jailed last July in a separate case for inciting strangers to rape a colleague, which is not part of this case.

    accused, Shane Flanagan, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Flanagan