Ireland Case No. 4618Attempting to pervert the course of justice · Co. Limerick
Five gardaí on trial over alleged attempts to quash road traffic prosecutions in Limerick
Five accused, including a retired superintendent and four gardaí, have pleaded not guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The prosecution alleges they tried to quash potential or pending road traffic prosecutions against motorists in the midwest region.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court11 Nov
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe five accused are alleged to have been involved in attempts to quash potential or pending road traffic prosecutions against motorists in the mid-west region. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatMotorists allegedly contacted Mr O’Neill, who allegedly contacted the other accused to try to end potential or pending penalty points. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe prosecution alleges that most of the attempts involved a personal connection between the motorist and Superintendent O’Neill. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe prosecution's case centres on the seizure and analysis of the accused's phones. (irishtimes.com)
- whatEamon O'Neill retired in November 2020 and is charged over motorists allegedly detected committing road traffic offences. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe prosecution alleges motorists contacted O'Neill, who in turn contacted the other accused to try to terminate potential or pending fixed charge penalty notices. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationEvidence was obtained by seizing and analysing Mr O’Neill's phone and the mobile phones of the four other accused. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe five accused pleaded not guilty to 39 offences of attempting to pervert the course of justice. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeOne charge alleges Mr O’Neill advised a motorist to nominate another person as the driver to avoid penalty points. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeAll five pleaded not guilty to a total of 39 offences of attempting to pervert the course of justice. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeOne charge alleges O'Neill advised a motorist to nominate another person as the driver so they could avoid penalty points. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is before a jury of eight men and four women at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is expected to last at least six weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Judge Roderick Maguire at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court and is expected to last at least six weeks. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Nov2025Five gardaí on trial over alleged attempts to quash road traffic prosecutions, court told
Reports the opening of the trial of five gardaí, with the prosecution's case outlined to the jury.
accused, Eamon O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eamon O'Neillaccused, Michelle Leahy, named, irish (judged from name)Michelle Leahyaccused, Anne-Marie Hassett, named, irish (judged from name)Anne-Marie Hassettaccused, Tom McGlinchey, named, irish (judged from name)Tom McGlincheyaccused, Colm Geary, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Geary - 11 Nov2025Five gardai on trial over allegedly trying to quash motorist offences
Trial opened at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Roderick Maguire. The prosecution set out its case, which centres on the alleged involvement of retired superintendent Eamon O’Neill, and the accused have pleaded not guilty.
accused, Eamon O'Neill, named, irish (judged from name)Eamon O'Neillaccused, Michelle Leahy, named, irish (judged from name)Michelle Leahyaccused, Anne-Marie Hassett, named, irish (judged from name)Anne-Marie Hassettaccused, Tom McGlinchey, named, irish (judged from name)Tom McGlincheyaccused, Colm Geary, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Geary