Friday 30 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. 17296Unauthorised use of a garda covert car · Co. Laois · 14 Oct 2020

Former garda sergeant sentenced to four months for unauthorised use of covert car

Between 14 and 30 October 2020, Ciaran Whelan, a 52-year-old man and former Garda Sergeant, was alleged to have made unauthorised use of a garda covert car on seven dates at the Motorway Toll Bridge at Fatyharnagh, Mountrath, Co Laois. The Garda Sergeant was investigated by GSOC after a protected disclosure, and he retired from An Garda Síochána on 26 April 2024. On 10 May 2024, Portlaoise District Court, before Judge Andrew Cody, convicted him on seven counts under Section 112(1) of the Road Traffic Act, and he was sentenced to four months in prison with the final two suspended and a three-year driving disqualification. The case was appealed before the end of the sitting, and recognisance was fixed pending the appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 May
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Ciaran Whelan, a 52-year-old man and former Garda Sergeant, was charged with seven counts of unauthorised use of a garda covert car.
  • The car was reportedly used by the Divisional Drugs Unit at Store Street Garda Station, Dublin, for intelligence gathering.
  • The defendant admitted he had not told gardaí at Store Street station that he was taking the car home.
Where
The offences took place at the Motorway Toll Bridge, Fatyharnagh, Mountrath, Co Laois.
When
  • The offences took place on 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30 October 2020.
  • The defendant retired from An Garda Síochána on 26 April 2024.
Cause
The defendant argued he took the car home to keep it safe, as it could not be parked at Store Street Garda Station because of the sensitive nature of the work.
Investigation
  • The issue was investigated by GSOC after a protected disclosure, and the prosecution was taken by the DPP and GSOC.
  • A GSOC investigating officer collected CCTV footage of the defendant at the toll bridge, and a superintendent identified him in eight of nine clips.
Other details
The judge estimated the car travelled about 1,000km per week.
Charges
The charges were brought under Section 112(1) of the Road Traffic Act.
In court
  • The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court before Judge Andrew Cody, and the court convicted the defendant on all charges.
  • No discount for an early guilty plea was given because the case was contested.
  • Recognisance was fixed in case of appeal, and the case was appealed before the end of the sitting.
Sentence
The defendant was sentenced to four months in prison with the final two suspended and a three-year driving disqualification.
30 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant admitted he had not told any gardaí at Store Street station that he was taking the car home. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe judge noted the defendant had retired from An Garda Síochána on 26 April 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatFormer Garda Sergeant Ciaran Whelan was charged with seven counts of unauthorised use of a garda covert car. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at the Motorway Toll Bridge, Fatyharnagh, Mountrath. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe charges relate to the Motorway Toll Bridge at Fatyharnagh, Mountrath. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30 October 2020. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred on seven dates in October 2020. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe car could not be parked at Store Street Garda Station because of the sensitive nature of the work it was used for. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe prosecution was taken by the DPP and GSOC. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe issue was investigated by GSOC after a protected disclosure. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA GSOC investigating officer collected CCTV footage of the defendant at the toll bridge. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA superintendent identified the defendant in eight of nine CCTV clips. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA GSOC investigating officer collected CCTV footage of the defendant travelling through the toll bridge. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeWhelan was charged with seven counts of unauthorised use of a garda covert car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe charges were prosecuted under Section 112(1) of the Road Traffic Act. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was not given a discount for an early plea because the case was contested. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody finalised the case at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtA prison sentence was handed down at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe court convicted Sergeant Whelan on all charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was not entitled to a discount for an early plea because the case was contested. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was sentenced to four months in prison with the final two suspended. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was given a three-year driving disqualification. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was sentenced to four months in prison with the final two suspended. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was given a three-year driving disqualification. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant argued he took the car home to keep it safe because it could not be parked at Store Street Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge estimated the car travelled about 1,000km per week. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge convicted the defendant on all charges. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe case was appealed before the end of the court sitting. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had retired from An Garda Síochána on April 26, 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherRecognisance was fixed in case of appeal and the case was appealed before the end of the sitting. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 May2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Recently retired Garda Sergeant handed prison sentence at Midlands court

    Sentencing report for seven covert-car driving charges under Section 112(1) of the Road Traffic Act. Existing case 6270 concerns different alleged offences (burglary, false imprisonment, perverting the course of justice) by the same officer, so it is not the same case.

    convicted, Ciaran Whelan, 52, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Whelan
  2. 10 May2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Recently retired Garda Sergeant handed prison sentence at Laois court

    Reports the conviction at Portlaoise District Court, the sentence of four months with the final two suspended, a three-year driving disqualification, the defendant's retirement from An Garda Síochána on 26 April 2024, and that the case was appealed.

    convicted, Ciaran Whelan, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Whelan