Ireland Case No. 19267Perjury · Co. Limerick · 21 Oct 2020
Perjury conviction quashed for Limerick hurler at circuit court
Pat Ryan, a 27-year-old man from Doon, Co Limerick and three-time All-Ireland winning hurler, gave sworn evidence on 21 October 2020 at Limerick District Court that he had not received a fixed charge penalty notice for a 2018 speeding offence, but a separate investigation found he had sent a photo of the notice to a third party. He was arrested in March 2021 on suspicion of perjury and pleaded guilty in March 2023, when Judge Patricia Harney sentenced him to two weeks in prison. His solicitor immediately appealed the sentence, and in November 2023 Judge Tom O'Donnell at Limerick Circuit Court allowed the appeal after Ryan had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service. Ryan left the court with no criminal conviction.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted28 Mar
2 reports - Sentenced28 Mar
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Pat Ryan, a three-time All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler, gave sworn evidence on 21 October 2020 that he had not received a fixed charge penalty notice for a 2018 speeding offence.
- Where
- The perjury occurred at Limerick District Court and the appeal was heard at Limerick Circuit Court.
- When
- The false evidence was given on 21 October 2020, Ryan was arrested on 10 March 2021, convicted and sentenced on 28 March 2023, and the appeal was allowed on 2 November 2023.
- Cause
- A separate investigation found that Ryan had sent a screenshot or photo of the fixed charge penalty notice to a third party, discovered when gardaí obtained his mobile phone.
- Investigation
- Ryan was arrested at 9.26am at Mayorstone Garda Station, Limerick, on 10 March 2021 on suspicion of perjury and charged at 9.44am, to which he did not reply.
- Charges
- Ryan pleaded guilty to perjury during proceedings related to a speeding charge.
- In court
- The case was presented by Garda Darren John Swan of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, sentenced by Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court, and the appeal was heard by Judge Tom O'Donnell at Limerick Circuit Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Harney imposed a two-week jail sentence on 28 March 2023, with a maximum available of six months and/or a fine of up to €5,000.
- Other details
- Ryan was originally detected exceeding the national roads speed limit at Dooradoyle, Limerick, on 14 November 2018.
- Ryan had one previous conviction for holding a mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
- Judge O'Donnell allowed the appeal in November 2023, saying the conviction would be completely disproportionate, and Ryan left court with no criminal conviction after completing 100 hours of voluntary community service.
64 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPat Ryan is an All-Ireland winning hurler (extra.ie)
- whatPat Ryan is a three-time All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- whatRyan, aged 27, is from Doon (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe claimed he had not received a fixed charge penalty notice after a garda detected him speeding in 2018 (irishtimes.com)
- whatPat Ryan was 27 years old (thejournal.ie)
- whatRyan claimed he had not received a fixed charge penalty notice for a speeding offence (thejournal.ie)
- whatHe gave sworn evidence on 21 October 2020 that he had not received a fixed charge penalty notice (thejournal.ie)
- whatA Garda had allegedly detected him exceeding the national roads speed limit in 2018 (thejournal.ie)
- whatPat Ryan, 28, from Doon, Co Limerick, was convicted of perjury earlier in 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPat Ryan was convicted of perjury in the district court in March in relation to a fixed charge penalty notice. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatMr Ryan gave evidence under oath that he did not receive a fixed charge penalty notice. (tipperarylive.ie)
- wherePat Ryan is from Doon, County Limerick (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe false evidence was given on 21 October 2020 (thejournal.ie)
- whenRyan was arrested at 9.26am at Mayorstone Garda Station, Limerick (thejournal.ie)
- whenRyan was charged at 9.44am (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe perjury took place during the October 2020 hearing before Limerick District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe perjury related to Mr Ryan giving evidence under oath on October 21, 2020 that he did not receive a fixed charge penalty notice. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe matter was struck out on the date he gave the evidence. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationRyan did not reply when he was later charged (irishtimes.com)
- investigationRyan was arrested on 10 March 2021 on suspicion of perjury (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- investigationGarda Darren John Swan of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation presented the case (thejournal.ie)
- investigationHe was arrested at 9.26am at Mayorstone Garda Station, Limerick (thejournal.ie)
- investigationHe was charged at 9.44am and did not reply (thejournal.ie)
- investigationHe was arrested on 10 March 2021 on suspicion of perjury (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA photograph of the speeding summons was found during separate investigations after gardaí obtained a mobile phone. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA separate investigation found that Mr Ryan had sent a screenshot or photo of the fixed charge penalty notice to a third party. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationA separate investigation found that Mr Ryan had sent a screenshot or photo of the notice to a third party. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to perjury during proceedings related to a speeding charge (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to committing perjury during judicial proceedings in which he was accused of speeding (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMr Ryan pleaded guilty to and was convicted of perjury in the district court in March. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtPat Ryan was convicted of perjury (extra.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at Limerick District Court before Judge Patricia Harney (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe maximum sentence available was six months in prison and or a fine of up to €5,000 (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- courtSolicitor Con Barry immediately appealed the sentence (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Harney remanded Ryan on bail with no date given for the appeal hearing (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Limerick District Court before Judge Patricia Harney (thejournal.ie)
- courtRyan immediately appealed the sentence (thejournal.ie)
- courtRyan was remanded on bail on his own bond of €100 which did not have to be lodged (thejournal.ie)
- courtNo date was given for the appeal (thejournal.ie)
- courtHis defence solicitor Con Barry immediately appealed the sentence (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe was remanded on bail on his own bond of €100 which did not have to be lodged (thejournal.ie)
- courtNo date was given for his appeal (thejournal.ie)
- courtDuring a hearing in October 2020 at Limerick District Court, Ryan falsely told the court he did not receive a summons for the speeding offence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Ryan's solicitor appealed the severity of the sentence in the circuit court in May. (limerickleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMr Ryan had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge said he was allowing the appeal. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtIn July it was heard that Mr Ryan had completed 40 hours of voluntary community service. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMr Ryan had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service by the November hearing. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJudge O'Donnell allowed the appeal. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a two-week jail sentence (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceRyan was sentenced to two weeks in prison (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHe was sentenced to two weeks in prison (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceRyan's defence solicitor appealed the severity of a two-week jail sentence imposed on Ryan in March. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe two-week jail term was imposed by Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court on March 28. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge indicated he may impose a community service order instead of a jail sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge adjourned his decision to July 25 and asked the probation service and Ryan to liaise. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA two-week jail sentence was handed down by Judge Patrica Harney. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceHe was given a two-week jail sentence. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherPat Ryan is 27 years old and from Doon (thejournal.ie)
- otherRyan was originally detected exceeding the national roads speed limit at Dooradoyle, Limerick, on November 14, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRyan had one previous conviction for holding a mobile phone while driving a vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Ryan left the court with no criminal conviction. (limerickleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- otherJudge O'Donnell said the conviction would be completely disproportionate. (tipperarylive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Nov2023All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler leaves court with no conviction
Reports that the Circuit Court allowed Mr Ryan's appeal against sentence, so he left court with no criminal conviction. Mr Ryan had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service.
convicted, Pat Ryan, 28, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan - 2 Nov2023All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler leaves court with no conviction
Follow-up to the earlier report on the perjury case. The circuit court allowed the appeal against the sentence, and Mr Ryan left with no criminal conviction. He had completed 100 hours of voluntary community service.
convicted, Pat Ryan, 28, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan - 22 May2023Limerick hurler Pat Ryan may get community service instead of jail time, court hears
Reports a 22 May 2023 hearing on Ryan's appeal against the two-week jail sentence imposed in March 2023. The judge indicated he may impose community service and adjourned his decision to 25 July.
convicted, Pat Ryan, 28, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan - 28 Mar2023All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler Pat Ryan convicted of perjury after telling 'brazen lie'
Reports the conviction and two-week custodial sentence imposed on 28 March 2023, the immediate appeal, and details of the GNBCI presentation including the 2021 arrest and the 2022 prior conviction.
convicted, Pat Ryan, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan - 28 Mar2023All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler Pat Ryan convicted of perjury after telling a 'brazen lie'
Reports the sentencing hearing on 28 March 2023 where Judge Patricia Harney imposed a two-week custodial sentence, and Ryan immediately appealed with bail set on a €100 bond.
convicted, Pat Ryan, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan - 28 Mar2023All-Ireland winning hurler Pat Ryan appeals jail sentence after telling court ‘brazen lie’
Reports the sentencing hearing at Limerick District Court where Judge Patricia Harney imposed a two-week jail sentence after Ryan pleaded guilty, and the immediate appeal by his solicitor Con Barry, with Ryan remanded on bail pending the appeal.
convicted, Pat Ryan, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan - 28 Mar2023All-Ireland Winning Hurler Pat Ryan Convicted Of Perjury
Reports the perjury conviction of Pat Ryan, identifying him as an All-Ireland winning hurler.
convicted, Pat Ryan, named, irish (judged from name)Pat Ryan