Ireland Two gardaí's suspensions lifted over penalty points squaring investigation
Two Limerick gardaí were suspended in November 2020 during a Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) inquiry into alleged unlawful squaring of fixed charge penalty points, and about 130 gardaí in the southern region were interviewed. Neither of the two was ever charged. A jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court later acquitted four serving gardaí and a retired Garda superintendent after a nine-week trial, and the Garda Commissioner lifted the four serving members' suspensions immediately after the trial. On 12 February 2026 Garda Headquarters told the two uncharged gardaí they had no case to answer and could return to the force, and their suspensions were lifted.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Where
- The two gardaí were attached to the Limerick Garda division.
- When
- The two gardaí were suspended in November 2020.
- Cause
- The suspensions followed a GNBCI investigation into alleged unlawful squaring of fixed charge penalty points.
- Investigation
- Some 130 gardaí in the southern region were interviewed by the GNBCI as part of the investigation.
- Charges
- Neither of the two gardaí was ever charged with an offence following the investigation.
- In court
- A jury acquitted four serving gardaí and a retired Garda superintendent after a nine-week trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
- Lawyers for the two gardaí previously made a High Court application seeking to have their suspensions lifted.
- Other details
- The Garda Commissioner lifted the suspensions of the four serving members immediately after their trial.
- Garda Headquarters contacted the two gardaí on a Thursday and told them they had no case to answer and could be reinstated.
- A Garda press officer confirmed the suspensions of the two gardaí were lifted on 12 February 2026.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe two gardaí were attached to the Limerick Garda division. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe two gardaí were suspended in November 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationNeither of the two gardaí were ever charged with offences following the investigation led by the GNBCI. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSome 130 gardaí in the southern region were interviewed by the GNBCI as part of the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLawyers for the two gardaí previously made a High Court application seeking their suspensions to be lifted. (irishtimes.com)
- courtFour serving gardaí and a retired Garda superintendent were acquitted by a jury following a nine-week trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo gardaí suspended six years ago in a Garda investigation into alleged unlawful squaring of fixed charge penalty points had their suspensions lifted. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA Garda press officer confirmed the suspensions were lifted on 12 February. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Garda Commissioner lifted the suspensions of the four serving members immediately following their trial. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Feb2026Two gardaí off duty over investigation into ‘squaring’ penalty points have suspensions lifted
Reports the lifting of suspensions for two Limerick gardaí never charged in the 'squaring' investigation, and details the acquittal of five others from the same investigation at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, including legal proceedings initiated by two of the acquitted.
suspectsuspectaccused, irish (judged from name)accused, Anne Marie Hassett, female, named, irish (judged from name)Anne Marie Hassettaccused, Michelle Leahy, named, irish (judged from name)Michelle Leahyaccused, Tom McGlinchey, named, irish (judged from name)Tom McGlincheyaccused, Colm Geary, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Geary