Four Gardaí Sent Forward For Trial To Limerick Circuit Court.

A now retired Garda Superintendent, together with three Gardaí serving in the southern region, have been sent forward for trial to the Circuit Court, on numerous counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The four accused appeared before Limerick District Court yesterday, and were served with the State’s Books of Evidence, by Detective Chief Superintendent Walter O’Sullivan, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).

Mr Liam Sheridan, solicitor acting for the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed the court that the latter had consented to all of the accused being sent forward for trial to the present sittings of Limerick Circuit Court.

The State’s Books of Evidence, which outline the State’s case against each of the accused, we understand relates to the operation of the Garda penalty points system and fixed charge notices, following alleged garda detections for road traffic offences; including speeding; holding a mobile phone while driving; driving without insurance; and driving while not wearing a seatbelt.

The four who were sent for trial are named as: Garda Tom McGlinchey, aged 48, with an address in Co. Tipperary; Garda Colm Geary, aged 34, with an address in Co. Clare; retired Superintendent Edmund O’Neill, aged 54, also with an address in Co. Clare and Sergeant Michelle Leahy, aged 45, with an address in Co. Limerick.

A fifth accused, Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett, aged 36, with an address in Co. Clare, was granted a three-week adjournment following the production by her solicitor of a medical certificate, latter excusing her attendance in court.

The four accused, signed €300 bail bonds, which did not have to be lodged in court, and they were each remanded on continuing bail.

The charges against all five accused, follow on from a two-year investigation carried out by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which suspect that a number of ‘Fixed Charge Notices’ were not proceeded with; all and each occurring on dates between October 9th 2016, and September 6th 2019.