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. 6260Perverting the course of justice; forgery · Co. Dublin

Peace commissioner charged with false search warrants for Garda operations in Dublin

Steven Wrenn, a 50-year-old peace commissioner and former Labour Party councillor, was charged on March 12 at Clontarf Garda station with perverting the course of justice and forgery over false search warrants for Garda operations in Dublin. The warrants were allegedly drafted after 2021 searches at Mountjoy Square and Kenilworth Road, in an investigation by the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit that has also led to charges against two serving gardaí and a civilian. Wrenn appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan at Dublin District Court on 20 March 2024 on four charges and was granted €200 bail. The latest development is that he is due to appear again on May 7 to enter a plea. The sources do not name a victim.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged20 Mar
  4. In court20 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Steven Wrenn, aged 50, a peace commissioner and former Labour Party councillor, was charged with perverting the course of justice and forgery.
Charges
  • Wrenn was charged with four offences over search warrants allegedly drafted after two properties were searched in 2021.
  • He is accused of making a false search warrant dated between September 30 and December 29, 2021, used for a search on September 7, 2021 of a basement flat at Mountjoy Square, Dublin.
  • He is accused of making another false warrant dated between August 28 and December 20, 2021, used for a search on June 19 at Kenilworth Road, Dublin 6.
  • Two serving gardaí, including a Garda sergeant, have already been charged and appeared before the court.
  • A male civilian, the third suspect, has been charged and was due before the Criminal Courts of Justice on 20 March 2024.
When
He was charged on March 12 at Clontarf Garda station.
Investigation
  • The Garda Anti-Corruption Unit investigated alleged offences by members of a particular Garda unit based in the Dublin region.
  • Gardaí are making no further comment because the criminal investigation is ongoing.
Other details
Four Garda members have been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the inquiry.
In court
  • Wrenn appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan at Dublin District Court on 20 March 2024.
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed summary disposal in the District Court if he pleads guilty, and the case will go to the Circuit Court if he contests the charges.
Sentence
He was granted €200 bail and ordered to appear again on May 7 to enter a plea.
26 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe investigation was carried out by the Garda Anti Corruption Unit. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe September 7th, 2021 search was of a basement flat at Mountjoy Square, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHe was charged on March 12th at Clontarf Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe investigation has been probing alleged offences by some members of a Dublin-based Garda unit. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are making no further comment because the criminal investigation is ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating the activities of a particular Garda unit based in the Dublin Region. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe Garda Anti-Corruption Unit investigated the activities of a particular unit based in the Dublin region. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA third suspect has been charged. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeTwo serving gardaí have already been charged in the investigation, including a Garda sergeant. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA male civilian has been charged and will appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA male civilian has been charged. (garda.ie)
  • chargeSteven Wrenn was charged with perverting the course of justice and forgery by creating and signing false search warrants for Garda operations in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with four offences over search warrants allegedly drafted after two properties were searched in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is accused of making a false search warrant dated between September 30th and December 29th, 2021, used for a search on September 7th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is also accused of making another false warrant between August 28th and December 20th, 2021, for a search on June 19th at Kenilworth Road, Dublin 6. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe third suspect is due to appear before the courts in Dublin on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man was due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on 20 March 2024. (garda.ie)
  • courtWrenn appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan at Dublin District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDirections have been received from the Director of Public Prosecutions for summary disposal in the District Court if he pleads guilty. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtIf he contests the charges, the case will go to the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe was granted €200 bail and ordered to appear again on May 7th to enter a plea. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe third person to face charges is a civilian. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA total of four Garda members have been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the inquiry. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFour members of An Garda Síochána have been suspended from duty. (garda.ie)
  • otherGardaí are making no further comment because the investigation is ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • otherTwo serving gardaí have already appeared before the court. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Mar2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Peace commissioner charged with creating and signing false search warrants for Garda operations

    First report of the charges against Steven Wrenn, including the offences, the court appearance, bail, and the 2021 search warrants at Mountjoy Square and Kenilworth Road.

    accused, Steven Wrenn, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Steven Wrenn
  2. 20 Mar2024
    In courtgarda.ie, follow-up
    Update Court Appearance 20th March 2024 - An Garda Síochána (Anti-Corruption Unit) investigation in the Dublin Region

    Garda press release on an anti-corruption investigation: four gardaí suspended and one male civilian charged, due in court on 20 March 2024. No offence or incident date is given.

    accused, male
  3. 20 Mar2024
    Chargedirishtimes.com, first report
    Third suspect charged in Garda Anti-Corruption Unit investigation

    Reports a third suspect, a civilian, charged in the investigation. Two serving gardaí have already been charged, including a Garda sergeant, and four Garda members are suspended.

    accused, male