Thursday 29 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. 10327Perverting the course of public justice · Co. Limerick

Prosecution against three Limerick gardaí dropped

Three Limerick gardaí, Niall Deegan (51), Peter O'Donnell (52) and Paul Baynham (37), were charged with 33 counts of communicating with other gardaí in a manner that had a tendency or was intended to pervert the course of public justice, on dates between 2017 and 2019. The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation led the initial investigation, and the three gardaí were suspended from the force in 2020. The Garda Representative Association then called for an independent public enquiry into the Limerick garda cases. On 25 March 2026 the State entered a nolle prosequi, which the judge accepted, and the charges were formally dropped at Limerick Circuit Court.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Garda Niall Deegan (51), Garda Peter O'Donnell (52) and Garda Paul Baynham (37) were serving members of the Road Policing Unit in the Limerick Garda Division.
Charges
The three gardaí were charged with 33 counts of communicating with other gardaí in a manner that had a tendency or was intended to pervert the course of public justice.
Cause
Reports differ on the subject of the allegations: RTÉ says they concerned road traffic offences, while the Limerick Leader says they concerned squaring away Fixed Charge Penalty Notices.
When
  • The alleged conduct took place on dates between 2017 and 2019.
  • The charges were formally dropped on 25 March 2026.
Investigation
The initial investigation was led by detectives from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Other details
  • All three gardaí have been suspended from duty since 2020.
  • A nolle prosequi is a formal declaration that stops criminal proceedings, so the case will no longer be prosecuted.
  • The Garda Representative Association has called for an independent public enquiry into the Limerick garda cases.
  • Solicitor Liz Hughes of Hughes Murphy welcomed the nolle prosequi and said she expects a public inquiry to address the matter.
In court
The State entered a nolle prosequi, which the judge accepted.
Where
The charges were dropped at Limerick Circuit Court.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe charges were dropped at Limerick Circuit Court. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offences were alleged to have taken place between 2017 and 2019. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe alleged conduct took place on dates between 2017 and 2019. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe initial investigation was led by detectives from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThree gardaí faced 33 counts of communicating with other gardaí to pervert the course of public justice. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe three gardaí were charged with 33 charges between them. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThe charges alleged they communicated with other gardaí in a manner intended to pervert the course of public justice. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe State entered a nolle prosequi before the court. (rte.ie)
  • courtCharges against three gardaí were dropped at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution entered a nolle prosequi for all three accused, which the judge accepted. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe three gardaí have been suspended from the force since 2020. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe Garda Representative Association has called for an independent public enquiry into the Limerick garda cases. (rte.ie)
  • otherA nolle prosequi is a formal declaration that stops criminal proceedings, so the case will no longer be prosecuted. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherAll three gardaí had been suspended from duty since 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe gardaí's solicitor said the nolle prosequi is to be welcomed. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said she expects a public inquiry to address the matter. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Mar2026
    Otherlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Prosecution against three Limerick gardaí will not go ahead

    Reports that the prosecution of three gardaí was ended by a nolle prosequi at Limerick Circuit Court on 25 March 2026. The article gives the charges, the 2017 to 2019 period, the GNBCI investigation, and the solicitor's response.

    accused, Peter O'Donnell, 52, named, irish (judged from name)Peter O'Donnellaccused, Paul Baynham, 37, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Baynhamaccused, Niall Deegan, 51, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Deegan
  2. 25 Mar2026
    Otherrte.ie, first report
    Charges against three Limerick gardaí dropped

    Reports that the State entered a nolle prosequi and the charges against three gardaí were formally dropped at Limerick Circuit Court on 25 March 2026. Also reports the GRA's call for an independent public enquiry.

    accused, Niall Deegan, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Deeganaccused, Peter O'Donnell, named, irish (judged from name)Peter O'Donnellaccused, Paul Baynham, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Baynham