The trial is under way at Limerick Circuit Court of a retired superintendent and four gardaí who are accused of perverting the course of justice by attempting to quash potential or pending road traffic offences on dates between October 2016 and September 2019.
Retired superintendent Eamon O'Neill pleaded not guilty to 27 counts of perverting the course of justice while a member of An Garda Síochána stationed at Roxboro Garda Station.
The charges relate to terminating potential or pending fixed charge penalty notices involving speeding, the use of mobile phones while driving, the non-wearing of seat belts and driving without insurance.
Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett pleaded not guilty to three charges of perverting the course of justice by terminating potential or pending fixed charge penalty notices related to a speeding offence, the use of a mobile phone while driving and the non-wearing of a seat belt.
Garda Thomas McGlinchey is charged with four offences of perverting the course of justice by terminating potential or pending fixed charge penalty notices for speeding.
Mr McGlinchey pleaded not guilty when arraigned in court today.
Garda Colm Geary, who was based in the Clare Garda Division, also pleaded not guilty to three charges of perverting the course of justice by terminating potential or pending fixed charge penalty notices involving two incidents of speeding and one of no insurance.
Sergeant Michelle Leahy pleaded not guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice by applying to have a speeding offence struck out and another withdrawn while working as a garda court presenter at Kilmallock District Court.
The jury of eight men and four women have previously been told that the trial would hear reference to prominent people in the sporting community in Limerick and wider environs.
In his opening remarks to the jury, Carol Hanahoe SC for the prosecution, outlined how a number of motorists contacted Supt O’Neill after they had been caught speeding or in breach of road traffic laws.
Mr Hanahoe said "it ought not to matter" the personal connection between the motorist and the gardaí, "that should not be the determinant as to whether you take the (penalty) points or not".
The trial continues before Judge Roderick Maguire and is expected to last for up to six weeks.
