Ireland Crime

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.

Reports the Garda Commissioner's and Justice Minister's response to the Taoiseach's call for a review, the acquittals, and that two gardaí remain suspended.

Reports the jury verdict of not guilty on all 39 counts, the six hours and seven minutes of deliberation, and the reaction in court after the verdicts were read out.

Reports the jury verdict acquitting O'Neill and his four co-accused, the defence's comments on the trial, and reactions from O'Neill and his solicitor. Links the case to a 2019 garda investigation and arrest.

Reports the acquittals at the end of a nine-week trial, the reinstatement of the four serving Gardaí, and the continued suspension of two other serving Gardaí who were not charged.

Reaction to the acquittals: a TD criticises the GNBCI, an estimated €1.5m in legal fees is reported, and several politicians call for inquiries.

Reports the jury verdicts after a nine-week trial, the lifting of the gardaí's suspensions, and comments from the Minister of State and a retired Assistant Garda Commissioner. Gives no date for the alleged offences.

Reports the not guilty verdicts on all 39 charges, the lifting of the four serving officers' six-year suspensions, and commentary from retired senior gardaí on the implications for policing discretion in Ireland.

Reports the unanimous acquittal of all five defendants on all 39 charges after a nine-week trial, with reactions from the accused, their legal team, and calls for a public inquiry into the GNBCI investigation that led to the charges.

Reports the jury verdicts acquitting O'Neill of all 27 charges and the four Gardaí of the remaining 12 counts after a nine-week trial. Adds the State's allegations, the defence's claims about the GNBCI investigation, and the call for a public enquiry.

Reports the jury verdict in the Limerick Circuit Court trial, which acquitted all five defendants on all counts after a nine-week trial. The article gives no dates for the alleged offences.

Jury returned not guilty verdicts on all 39 counts after more than seven hours of deliberation across two days, following an eight-week trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Reports the jury's deliberation time and the trial timeline, and sets out the 39 charges and their subject matter. No verdict is given in this article.

Reports that the jury resumed deliberating on Monday 26 January 2026 after retiring the previous Friday, and that one juror is to be lost, leaving 11. No verdict is reported.

Reports the jury verdict: all five accused acquitted on all 39 counts after an eight-week trial at Limerick Circuit Court, with the offences dated between October 2016 and September 2019.

Reports the closing submissions, the jury's deliberations and the prosecution and defence positions in the trial, which has run for eight weeks; the verdict is still pending.

Adds that the jury deliberated for two hours and six minutes on 23 January 2026 without reaching a verdict, and that they will return to deliberate at 9.30am on Monday.

Reports the closing speeches of all five accused and the defence argument that the motorists involved were never prosecuted. The judge is to charge the jury that afternoon.

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.

Reports the eighth week of the trial, when closing speeches were heard from the prosecution and defence, including the prosecution's preference argument and the defence's claim that the GNBCI probe was unfair. Confirms that closing speeches for the other accused will follow on Friday.

Reports the closing statements for O'Neill and Geary, the prosecution's closing, and that the remaining three accused's closing statements will continue at Limerick Circuit Court on Friday morning.

Reports the start of closing speeches in the jury trial, the prosecution's closing argument, and the jury direction against sympathy. Adds that the five accused deny 39 counts and that the defence closing speeches are still to come.

Reports the closing speeches from the prosecution and defence, with the defence saying further defence closing statements would follow the next day.

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.

Reports the prosecution's closing statement in the eighth week of the trial, the jury's expected charge, and the defendants' pleas of not guilty to 39 charges.

Reports evidence from witness Fintan Fanning on suspension of gardaí, the cancellation of fixed charge penalty notices and the prosecution's allegations against Eamon O’Neill; the trial continues.

Reports defence evidence from Fintan Fanning, a former assistant garda commissioner, on disciplinary sanctions and the 2014 Fixed Charge Penalty Notice system. The trial was adjourned for the day on 20 January 2026.

Reports the eighth week of the trial, when defence witness Gerry Mahon testified that O’Neill had no power to cancel traffic tickets under the policy then in force, and that in his opinion it was not a criminal offence. It also reports text messages shown in court and an alleged advice to a motorist to nominate another driver.

Reports the eighth week of the Limerick Circuit Court trial, including cross-examination of witness Gerard Mahon about the 2014 policy on cancelling penalty notices and his testimony about O'Neill's work.

Reports evidence from Supt Liam Geraghty, who said he had conversations with Chief Supt Walter O'Sullivan about whether persons were still detained, contradicting O'Sullivan's earlier evidence. Geraghty also agreed that contact between a senior Garda and the press office about investigations was not unusual. The trial continues the following Monday.

Reports testimony from retired deputy commissioner John Twomey and garda press office superintendent Liam Geraghty about press releases issued in May 2019. The trial continues the following week.

Reports evidence from Supt Liam Geraghty, head of the Garda press office, that four press releases were issued on the day of O'Neill's arrest, and evidence from former Deputy Commissioner John Twomey on 'squaring' penalty notices.

Reports that the jury asked to go home for the weekend and restart deliberations on Monday, after defence closing speeches. Sets out the accused's roles, the defence argument that the gardaí used discretion, and the State's position.

Reports the jury verdict of 26 January 2026 acquitting all five defendants, with reaction from O'Neill, his solicitor, garda representative groups and politicians calling for accountability or a public inquiry.

Adds the Taoiseach's call for a review of the NBCI investigation and the decision to prosecute, questions about the estimated €3 million cost, and the lifting of the four serving gardaí's suspensions.

Reports testimony from Fintan Fanning on 20 January 2026 about garda suspensions, the cancellation of fixed charge penalty notices, and the prosecution's case against O'Neill.

Reports the prosecution's closing speech on 21 January 2026, including the instruction that the jury must not be swayed by sympathy. Defence closing speeches were still to follow.

Reports the closing speeches of the defence barristers for O’Neill and Geary and the prosecution's closing argument, and states that closing speeches for the other three accused would follow.

Reports that the trial was adjourned for Christmas, that it will resume on 12 January 2026, that the jury has heard six weeks of evidence, and gives evidence from retired Chief Supt Sean Corcoran that he looked after a couple of hundred summonses.

Reports evidence from Chief Supt Michael McNulty in the sixth week of the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court trial. He denied telling Gardaí Niall Deegan and Alan Griffin that their interview answers could move them from suspects to witnesses, and said Chief Supt John Scanlon was considered a suspect in the GNBCI probe.

Court report from the sixth week of the trial. Chief Supt McNulty denies telling Garda Alan Griffin and Garda Niall Deegan that interview answers could change their status, and gives evidence about the GNBCI probe, the list of suspects and witnesses, and garda discretion.

Adds the trial start date (11 November 2025), the judge's estimate of an extra two weeks in January, the trial schedule (recess until 12 January), and the plea of not guilty to 39 counts. It also reports messages read in court in which O'Neill said he would strike out a fine.

Adds details of text messages between O'Neill and Tomás Ó Sé about a speeding penalty, shown to the jury in the 5th week of the trial. Tomás Ó Sé is not accused of wrongdoing.

Fifth week of trial; evidence of text messages between Cllr Galvin and Supt O'Neill regarding a 142kph speeding ticket; details of the 39 counts and the State's case that O'Neill forwarded requests to withdraw or strike out road traffic prosecutions to co-accused.

Reports the defence of Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett and the accused's denials, adds the GNBCI interview and charge dates, and gives prosecution evidence on text messages between the accused and the superintendent. The trial is in its fifth week.

Reports evidence from the fifth week of the trial: text messages between councillor Liam Galvin (not accused) and Superintendent O'Neill, the State's case, and the accused gardaí's statements denying wrongdoing. Galvin is not an accused and is not listed as a suspect.

First report of this trial; court heard text message evidence between Supt O'Neill and councillor Liam Galvin regarding a 2017 speeding ticket, and details of the 39 counts and the State's case.

Fifth week of trial; defence cross-examined prosecution witnesses on the concept of discretion in policing; evidence of a text message from Chief Supt John Scanlon to O'Neill regarding a seatbelt detection at Oola was presented.

Reports O’Neill’s prepared statement to GNBCI detectives, read out at trial, and defence arguments that Garda discretion and custom allowed such involvement. Gives the count totals (27 counts against O’Neill, 12 against co-accused) and says the trial is in its fifth week.

Reports evidence from Superintendent Fearghal Pattwell that O’Neill texted him an image of a District Court summons on 3 July 2018 followed by “You promised”. Adds the trial’s charge breakdown for each accused, the GNBCI investigation background, the not guilty pleas and the DVD interview evidence of Sergeant Michelle Leahy.

Reports day-of-trial evidence from December 2025: text messages from hurler Sean Finn to O’Neill shown to the jury, Garda McGlinchey's recorded interview, a superintendent's character evidence, and the GNBCI investigator's evidence about a non-accused chief superintendent. Sean Finn is not an accused.

Reports evidence from former Detective Chief Superintendent Walter O'Sullivan, who led the GNBCI dawn raid on Supt O'Neill's home and denied suggestions that he pursued Supt O'Neill. Trial is in its fourth week.

Adds the evidence of Garda Colm Geary's GNBCI interview, including his account of following a superior's instructions and the text messages shown to the jury. The trial was continuing before a jury.

Adds evidence from the fifth trial day: a superintendent's character evidence, text messages between O’Neill and hurler Sean Finn, McGlinchey's interview account, and the GNBCI lead investigator's evidence about Chief Supt Scanlon.

Adds evidence heard in the trial: texts between O'Neill, Finn and Garda Tom McGlinchey, a recorded GNBCI interview with McGlinchey, and testimony from Supt John Ryan.

Reports day-of-trial testimony from retired Superintendent Sean Corcoran, who said he looked after a couple of hundred summonses and was regularly contacted by TDs, Commissioners and others. It also reports Garda Geary's video-interview account that O'Neill sent him summonses texts and instructions, and the prosecution's case that O'Neill's alleged interference is central.

Reports evidence heard at the trial on Tuesday: hundreds of WhatsApp screenshots, interview footage of Garda Colm Geary, and text messages about road traffic penalties. It also gives the 39-count charge total and the prosecution's position that O’Neill is central to the case.

Reports evidence from former GNBCI head Walter O’Sullivan, who denied asking another Garda to quash a road traffic summons, and says the trial is in its fourth week. Adds the 39-count total and details of the 2019 dawn raid, the phone evidence and the interviews under caution.

Evidence from retired supt Sean Corcoran on day of trial about requests to deal with summonses, and the prosecution's case against Eamon O'Neill.

Adds the content of Geary's GNBCI interview, played to the jury on 3 December 2025: he said Superintendent Eamon O'Neill's text and summons image implied he should contact a garda about a speeding case, and that he complied because O'Neill was a Superintendent.

Adds witness evidence from retired superintendent Sean Corcoran about handling summonses and phoning O'Neill about a motorist's case, plus jury evidence of messages and Garda Geary's interview with GNBCI detectives.

Reports day-three testimony from retired superintendent Sean Corcoran under cross-examination, and Garda Colin Geary's video-interview statements shown in court. Adds the denial of charges and the 39-count total.

Reports evidence heard on the second day of the trial, including WhatsApp screenshots, Garda Colm Geary's interview, a Sergeant Adrian Condon's evidence, and a telecommunications expert's evidence on read receipts.

Reports evidence from the trial: a recorded GNBCI interview of Garda Colm Geary (recorded at Mayorstone Garda Station on 8 October 2019) about a call and texts from O'Neill concerning an Ennis motorist's case, plus evidence from forensic analysis of seized phones.

Day-of-testimony report from the ongoing trial. Adds evidence from garda witnesses on discretion, the charges against each accused, and a text exchange between Sgt Hassett and Sgt Ryan about a motorist's penalty notice.

Adds evidence from Sgt Patricia Ryan about a text from Sgt Hassett asking her to help a motorist stopped for speeding, Sgt Ryan's reply, and the prosecution's position that Supt O'Neill was common to all 39 charges.