Ireland Case No. 6212Falsifying a witness statement · Co. Meath
Former probationer garda spared conviction for falsifying witness statement
Dearbhla Gilhooley (32), of Athlumney Castle, Navan, Co Meath, a former probationer garda, was called to the scene of an alleged assault involving two neighbours. Between March 6 and April 10, 2022, she made a statement falsely claiming that the complainant had withdrawn the assault complaint, and the case later became statute barred. She pleaded guilty to falsifying a witness statement through her solicitor, and at Trim District Court in March 2024 the judge struck out the charge and ordered her to donate €1,000 to the Meath Women's Refuge.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A former probationer garda pleaded guilty to falsifying a witness statement in a case of alleged assault.
- She made a false statement claiming the complainant had withdrawn an assault complaint when they had not.
- She had been called to the scene of an alleged assault involving two neighbours and took an oral statement from the alleged victim.
- She had a blank C8 witness statement form signed by the alleged victim at the alleged victim's home.
- Where
- The accused lives at Athlumney Castle, Navan, Co Meath, and typed the false statement at Navan Garda station.
- When
- The false statement was made between March 6 and April 10, 2022.
- Other details
- She delayed processing the assault complaint, and the case became statute barred.
- There was no connection between the garda and the alleged perpetrator of the assault.
- She had resigned from the force.
- Investigation
- Her solicitor, Damien Coffey, said she co-operated fully with the investigation and admitted what she had done.
- Charges
- She was charged with falsifying a witness statement and pleaded guilty through her solicitor.
- In court
- The case was heard at Trim District Court.
- Sentence
- The judge struck out the charge against her and ordered her to donate €1,000 to the Meath Women's Refuge.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA former probationer garda pleaded guilty to falsifying a witness statement in a case of alleged assault. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe made a false statement claiming the complainant had withdrawn an assault complaint when they had not. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe was called to the scene of an alleged assault involving two neighbours. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe later typed the false statement at Navan Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe had resigned from the force. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe accused lives in Athlumney Castle, Navan, Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe false statement was made between March 6 and April 10, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHer solicitor said she co-operated fully with the investigation and admitted what she had done. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeShe pleaded guilty through her solicitor. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Trim District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge struck out the charge against her. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceShe was ordered to donate €1,000 to the Meath Women’s Refuge. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe assault case became statute barred after she delayed processing the complaint. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThere was no connection between the garda and the alleged perpetrator of the assault. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Mar2024Former probationer garda spared conviction for falsifying witness statement
Reports the court outcome: charge struck out with a €1,000 donation order, the probationer garda's resignation, and the details of how the false statement was made.
accused, Dearbhla Gilhooley, 32, female, named, irish (judged from name)Dearbhla Gilhooley