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. 5117Perverting the course of public justice · Co. Limerick

Three gardaí charged over alleged squaring away of fixed charge notices in Limerick

Three serving gardaí in the Limerick Garda Division, Garda Peter O'Donnell (51), Garda Paul Baynham (35) and Garda Niall Deegan (49), were charged in connection with an alleged squaring away of Fixed Charge Notices, with the alleged offences committed between 2017 and 2019. They were arrested and cautioned at Mayorstone Garda Station on the Tuesday before their court appearance, and are charged with 33 counts in total of communicating with other gardaí in a manner intended to pervert the course of public justice. They appeared before Limerick District Court in September 2024 and were remanded on continuing bail, and the DPP has directed that all three face trial on indictment at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. The latest development is an adjournment to Limerick District Court on 24 October for service of the Books of Evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Sep
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Three serving gardaí were charged in connection with an alleged squaring away of Fixed Charge Notices.
Where
The three accused were arrested and cautioned at Mayorstone Garda Station.
When
  • The alleged offences were committed on dates between 2017 and 2019.
  • The three accused were arrested and cautioned on the Tuesday before their court appearance.
In court
  • Sources differ on the appearance date: one says 11 September 2024 and the other says 12 September 2024, both articles dated 12 September 2024.
  • The three accused appeared before Limerick District Court and were represented by Hughes Murphy Solicitors.
  • The three were remanded on station bail and then on continuing bail, and the matter was adjourned to Limerick District Court on 24 October for service of the State's Books of Evidence.
  • The DPP has directed that all three accused face trial on indictment at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Investigation
The probe is being led by detectives from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin.
Charges
  • The three accused were charged with a total of 33 counts of communicating with other gardaí in a manner intended to pervert the course of public justice.
  • Garda Peter O'Donnell faces 14 counts, Garda Paul Baynham faces 10 counts and Garda Niall Deegan faces 9 counts.
Other details
None of the three accused spoke at the hearing and the details of their cases were not heard.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree serving gardaí appeared before Limerick District Court charged in connection with an alleged squaring away of Fixed Charge Notices. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThree serving gardaí were charged in connection with an alleged squaring away of Fixed Charge Notices. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe three accused were arrested and cautioned at Mayorstone Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe three gardaí appeared before Limerick District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged offences were committed on dates between 2017 and 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on dates between 2017 and 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe three accused were arrested and cautioned at Mayorstone Garda station the previous Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe probe is being led by detectives from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe three accused were charged with 33 counts of communicating with other gardaí in a manner intended to pervert the course of public justice. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGarda Peter O’Donnell faces 14 counts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGarda Paul Baynham faces 10 counts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGarda Niall Deegan faces 9 counts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe three accused were charged with a total of 33 counts of communicating with other gardaí in a manner intended to pervert the course of public justice. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGarda Peter O’Donnell is accused of 14 separate counts. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGarda Paul Baynham is charged with ten separate counts. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGarda Niall Deegan is charged with nine separate counts. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP has directed that all three accused face trial on indictment at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe three accused were remanded on continuing bail and the matter was adjourned to Limerick District Court on 24 October for service of the Books of Evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that all three accused face trial on indictment at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe three were remanded on continuing bail and the matter was adjourned to Limerick District Court on October 24th for service of the State’s books of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNone of the three accused spoke at the hearing and the details of their cases were not heard. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNone of the three accused spoke during the hearing and details of their cases were not heard. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Sep2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Three gardaí appear in court charged with ‘squaring away’ fixed charge notices

    First report of the court appearance. Names the three accused, their ages, the 33 counts and their individual counts, the arrest location and timing, the DPP direction for trial on indictment, and the remand dates.

    accused, Peter O'Donnell, 51, named, irish (judged from name)Peter O'Donnellaccused, Paul Baynham, 35, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Baynhamaccused, Niall Deegan, 49, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Deegan
  2. 12 Sep2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardai in court charged in connection with probe over Fixed Charge Notices

    First report of this case. It names the three accused, their ages, the number of counts against each, the GNBCI investigation, the DPP direction for trial on indictment, and the remand to Limerick District Court on 24 October.

    accused, Peter O'Donnell, 51, named, irish (judged from name)Peter O'Donnellaccused, Paul Baynham, 35, named, non-irish (judged from name)Paul Baynhamaccused, Niall Deegan, 49, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Deegan