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Limerick Jury Acquits Retired Garda Superintendent and Four Officers on All 39 Counts

The unanimous verdict capped an eight-week trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Overview

  • The jury of eight men and four women delivered the decision on January 26 after deliberating on Friday and Monday.
  • The indictment comprised 39 counts tied to 26 motorists’ road traffic cases, with Eamon O’Neill facing 27 counts of conduct tending or intended to pervert justice.
  • The co-accused were Sgt Anne Marie Hassett, Sgt Michelle Leahy, Garda Colm Geary and Garda Tom McGlinchey.
  • Prosecutors led by senior counsel Carl Hanahoe alleged preferential treatment for people known to Mr O’Neill in efforts to halt prosecutions.
  • Defence counsel branded the GNBCI investigation and the case “nonsense,” and the Garda Representative Association voiced relief at the verdict after “seven challenging, frustrating and turbulent years.”