Garda David Reynolds dismissed from force after guilty plea for coercive control of wife
David Reynolds, 45, a garda based in Athlone, Co Westmeath, pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to controlling and coercive behaviour on his then-wife Ashley Masterson from 1 January 2019 to 18 July 2022, which included installing a tracker on her phone and recording their arguments. He was suspended without pay from An Garda Síochána after his guilty plea in January 2026 and was formally dismissed by Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly at the start of August 2026. Ashley Masterson waived her right to anonymity and told the court the ordeal left her emotionally scarred. Reynolds, who had served 17 years as a garda, is now working in construction and is due to be sentenced on 6 October 2026, facing a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to €10,000.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted31 Aug
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Reynolds installed a tracker on his wife's phone and recorded her conversations, with the couple heard shouting and arguments becoming physical.
- Where
- The offences took place in Westmeath, with Reynolds based in Athlone.
- When
- The controlling and coercive behaviour occurred from 1 January 2019 to 18 July 2022.
- Charges
- Reynolds pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour on Ashley Masterson.
- In court
- Sentencing was adjourned at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to 6 October 2026.
- Sentence
- The maximum penalty is five years in prison and a fine of up to €10,000.
- Other details
- Reynolds was dismissed from An Garda Síochána by Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly at the start of August 2026.
- He had been suspended without pay since pleading guilty in January 2026.
- He had been a garda for 17 years, 10 of which as a traffic officer commuting from the Midlands to Dublin Castle.
- Ashley Masterson waived her right to anonymity and told the court her ordeal left her emotionally scarred.
- Reynolds is now working in construction.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe installed a tracker on her phone and recorded her conversations (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe couple could be heard shouting at each other in recordings, with arguments becoming physical (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour on Ashley Masterson from 1 January 2019 until 18 July 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe is to be sentenced at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court on 6 October 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe maximum penalty is five years in prison and a fine of up to €10,000 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDavid Reynolds was dismissed from An Garda Síochána by Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly at the start of August 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe had been suspended without pay since pleading guilty in January (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe had been a garda for 17 years, 10 of which commuting from the Midlands to Dublin Castle as a traffic officer (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe is now working in construction (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSome recordings continued after the arguments when Reynolds could be heard sobbing (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAshley Masterson waived her right to anonymity and told the court her ordeal left her emotionally scarred (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Aug2026Garda 'who treated wife like property' is sacked
Reports that Reynolds was dismissed from the force by Commissioner Justin Kelly at the start of August 2026, with details of the May hearing where the judge described his attitude to marriage, and Ashley Masterson's victim impact statement describing the emotional and financial impact.
convicted, David Reynolds, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Reynoldsvictim, Ashley Masterson, female, irish (judged from name)Ashley Masterson