Three gardaí will no longer face trial for perverting the course of justice in relation to road traffic offences, after the charges against them were formally dropped at Limerick Circuit Court today.
Garda Niall Deegan, Garda Peter O'Donnell and Garda Paul Baynham faced a total of 33 counts that they did communicate with other gardaí, in a manner which had a tendency or was intended to pervert the course of public justice, on dates between 2017 and 2019.
The gardaí, who were serving members of the Road Policing Unit in the Limerick Garda Division, have been suspended from the force since 2020.
The State entered a nolle prosequi before the court today.
In a statement after the hearing, solicitor Liz Hughes of Hughes Murphy welcomed "this long overdue vindication of the innocence of Gardaí O'Donnell, Deegan and Baynham".
She said it follows the recent acquittals of their colleagues and the return to duty of all other suspended members.
"Each of them would like to acknowledge the support from their families and friends and colleagues who saw daily the toll this took on them and whose reassurance kept them going.
"They wish to thank the public who have supported them and they are looking forward to returning to full policing duties and to serving their communities again."
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has called for an independent public enquiry into the Limerick garda cases.
GRA Representative for the Limerick Division, Frank Thornton, said: "What has unfolded here in Limerick with this witch hunt, is a stark reminder to all, that an independent public enquiry of this investigation is not an option for the Minister for Justice, it’s an absolute necessity."
Labour TD, Alan Kelly has also called for an enquiry, saying the decision by the DPP is welcome, but it raises many questions.
"It seems that once the recent Garda case of the retired superintendent and four members was lost by the State, the whole house of cards in relation to the investigations in the region has fallen down," Deputy Kelly said.
"It’s obvious now that many of the cases were interlinked and the overwhelming evidence given at that trial showed there was not possibility of prosecution. This is deeply worrying," he said.
