Wednesday 28 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. 1243Corruption, perverting the course of justice · Co. Laois · 2 Mar 2022

MMA fighter Charlie Ward and co-accused Noel Carroll sent for trial over Garda corruption offences

Charlie Ward, 44, a former MMA fighter from Mountmellick, Co Laois, and Noel Carroll, 57, from Portlaoise, Co Laois, were sent for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on corruption charges involving requests for confidential Garda information and perverting the course of justice, following an anti-corruption unit investigation and a DPP direction to trial on indictment.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCharlie Ward is a former mixed martial artist, aged 44, from Acragar, Mountmellick, Co Laois. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNoel Carroll, 57, is from Ballyfinn Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe case followed an investigation by the anti-corruption unit. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe pair face charges contrary to section 5 of the 2018 Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act regarding requests for information concerning three men. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeOn 2 March 2022, both men corruptly requested a gift, consideration or advantage on account of a named garda requesting confidential information relating to another person. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeWard is accused of the same type of offence on 28 February 2022, about Garda information on a second male. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeOn 29 February 2022, Ward corruptly offered the same officer an inducement for doing an act in relation to his employment as a member of An Garda Síochána. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeOn 26 January 2022, Carroll corruptly requested a gift, consideration or advantage on account of the garda seeking confidential information about a search operation at the home of a third named man. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth defendants appeared at Dublin District Court on Friday when books of evidence were served. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Gerard Jones granted an order sending them forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case will be listed for mention on 16 October. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe defendants were warned to notify the prosecution within 14 days if they intend to use an alibi. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGardaí must furnish the defence with copies of interview videos. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defendants have yet to enter a plea. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLegal aid was granted to the defendants. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jul2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    MMA fighter Charlie Ward (44) and co-accused face trial over Garda corruption offences

    Books of evidence served at Dublin District Court; Judge Gerard Jones sent both defendants forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, listed for mention on 16 October 2025. Legal aid granted; alibi notice deadline 14 days.

    accused, Charlie Ward, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charlie Wardaccused, Noel Carroll, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Carroll