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. 11119Attempting to pervert the course of justice · Co. Limerick

Five Gardaí acquitted of 39 charges in Limerick, calls for independent inquiry

Five people, including retired Limerick Garda superintendent Eamon O'Neill and his wife, Garda Anne Marie Hassett, were charged with 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice over alleged unlawful interference with pending or potential road traffic prosecutions in County Limerick. A dawn raid on O'Neill's house took place in May 2019. After a nine-week trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, a jury unanimously acquitted all five of all charges, as reported on 6 February 2026. O'Neill's solicitor has called for an independent inquiry, the Taoiseach has called for a review of the investigation, and two other Gardaí remain suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted6 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Five people were charged with 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
  • The five accused were retired superintendent Eamon O'Neill, his wife Garda Anne Marie Hassett, Garda Colm Geary, Garda Tom McGlinchey and Sergeant Michelle Leahy.
Where
The charges relate to Limerick, with the trial held at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
When
  • The incident date is not given in the sources.
  • A dawn raid on O'Neill's house took place in May 2019.
  • The acquittal was reported by limerickpost.ie on 6 February 2026.
Cause
The charges allege unlawful interference with pending or potential road traffic prosecutions.
Investigation
The investigation appeared to have been founded on little or no evidence.
In court
  • The trial was a nine-week trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
  • The jury returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty on all 39 charges.
Sentence
All five were acquitted, so no sentence was imposed.
Other details
  • O'Neill's solicitor, Dan O'Gorman, made a fresh call for an independent inquiry.
  • The Taoiseach called for a review of the investigation into the five accused.
  • Two other Gardaí remain suspended.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA jury acquitted five people of all charges. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationA dawn raid on O'Neill's house took place in May 2019. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation appeared to have been founded on little or no evidence. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe five were charged with 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeThe charges related to allegedly unlawfully interfering with pending or potential road traffic prosecutions. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe trial was a nine-week trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe jury returned verdicts on all 39 charges unanimously. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherO'Neill's solicitor made a fresh call for an independent inquiry. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe Taoiseach and others called for a review of the investigation into the five accused. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Feb2026
    Acquittedlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Call for independent inquiry into failed Garda trial

    Reports the jury acquittal of all five accused after a nine-week trial, the solicitor's call for an independent inquiry, the Taoiseach's call for a review, and the ongoing suspensions of two other Gardaí.

    accused, Eamon O'Neill, named, irish (judged from name)Eamon O'Neillaccused, Anne Marie Hassett, named, irish (judged from name)Anne Marie Hassettaccused, 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 Leahy