Saturday 31 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. 19263Demanding money with menaces · Co. Sligo

Former garda pleads guilty to demanding money with menaces in Sligo

Former garda Charles Farrell, 66, of Carrowteane, Skreen, Co Sligo, pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to two charges of demanding money with menaces. He had aggressively demanded a percentage of insurance compensation claims from John Connolly and Anthony Kearns, who were injured as passengers in a car he drove in an August 2017 road traffic accident. In February 2021 he phoned one of the men, shouting and referring to a firearm and cartridges to seek part of the claim, and the sources differ on whether that man was Connolly or Kearns. Both men complained to gardaí, three legally held firearms were seized from Farrell's home, and his firearms licences were later revoked. On 3 November 2023 the court heard that no money had changed hands, Judge Brendan O'Reilly directed a probation report, and the case was adjourned to 25 January 2024, with the court open to hearing proposals for appropriate compensation.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Charles Farrell, 66, a former garda, pleaded guilty to two charges of demanding money with menaces.
  • Farrell aggressively demanded a percentage of insurance compensation claims from two men, John Connolly and Anthony Kearns.
  • During that call Farrell shouted, was abusive and menacing, referred to a firearm and cartridges, and sought a portion of the claim.
Where
Farrell is of Carrowteane, Skreen, Co Sligo, and appeared at Sligo District Court.
Cause
Farrell was driving a car in an August 2017 road traffic accident in which his two passengers, Connolly and Kearns, were injured.
When
In February 2021 Farrell phoned one of the men, and the sources differ on whether it was Connolly or Kearns.
Investigation
Both men complained to gardaí, and three legally held firearms were seized from Farrell's home.
Other details
  • Farrell's firearms licences were subsequently revoked.
  • Farrell's barrister said he had three decades of service in An Garda Síochána and retired in 2007.
In court
  • The court heard that no money had actually passed between the parties.
  • Judge Brendan O'Reilly directed that a probation report be prepared on Farrell.
  • The judge said the court was open to hearing proposals for appropriate compensation.
  • The judge adjourned the case to 25 January 2024.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCharles Farrell pleaded guilty to two charges of demanding money with menaces. (rte.ie)
  • whatFarrell aggressively demanded a percentage of an insurance compensation claim from two men. (rte.ie)
  • whatFarrell phoned John Connolly in February, shouted at him, referred to a firearm and cartridges, and sought a portion of the claim. (rte.ie)
  • whereCharles Farrell appeared at Sligo District Court. (rte.ie)
  • causeFarrell was driving a car in an August 2017 road traffic accident in which his two passengers were injured. (rte.ie)
  • investigationBoth men complained to gardaí, and three legally held firearms were seized from Farrell's home. (rte.ie)
  • courtNo money had actually passed between the parties, the court heard. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Brendan O'Reilly directed that a probation report be prepared on Farrell. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the court was open to hearing proposals for appropriate compensation. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the case to 25 January of the following year. (rte.ie)
  • otherFarrell's firearms licences were subsequently revoked. (rte.ie)
  • otherFarrell's barrister said he had three decades of service in An Garda Síochána and had retired in 2007. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Nov2023
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Former garda pleads guilty to demanding claim money

    Reports the guilty plea at Sligo District Court, the background of the 2017 crash and the 2021 calls, the firearms seizure and licence revocation, and the adjournment for a probation report. No existing case covers this matter.

    accused, Charles Farrell, 66, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles Farrellvictim, John Connolly, male, irish (judged from name)John Connollyvictim, Anthony Kearns, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Kearns