A former garda superintendent is to stand trial accused of facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation, perverting the course of justice and corruption.
John Murphy, aged 65, from Clontarf in Dublin, and 46-year-old Garda Manus Keane were charged following an investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Investigation (NBCI).
They appeared before Judge Brendan O'Reilly at Dublin District Court.
NBCI Detective Sergeant Síle White told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had issued a direction for trial on indictment at a higher level.
A six-week adjournment was sought to prepare the prosecution's books of evidence, which must be served on them before granting a trial order.
Detective Sergeant White said Mr Murphy was charged just after 10am at the courthouse and "made no reply after caution" to his 12 charges.
He faces allegations covering five years.
It is alleged that he participated in or contributed to activities intended to facilitate serious offences by a criminal organisation, between 12 April 2016 and 29 September 2021, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
He could not apply for bail on this charge, which requires a High Court decision, and was remanded in custody to appear again via video-link next Wednesday.
There are seven separate bribery charges under the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018.
It is alleged that on various dates between July 2020 and September 2021, Mr Murphy "corruptly agreed to accept" gifts, advantages, or inducements. These were allegedly rewards for performing acts related to his "office, position or employment."
The specific dates named in that category of charges are: 23 July, 2020; 18 May 2021; 31 May 2021; 25 June 2021; 19 July 2021; 16 August 2021; and 14 September 2021.
He also faced four Common Law charges for communicating with a serving member of An Garda Síochána in a manner intended to pervert the course of public justice. These incidents allegedly occurred on: 28 April 2016, 12 April, 2017, 24 April, 2017 and on an unknown date in January 2018.
Defence solicitor Daniel Hanahoe said that his client was reserving his legal aid application.
Mr Keane, who is based in Dublin, is charged with a single offence under section 62 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
It states that on 14 November 2014, he, a serving member of An Garda Síochána, disclosed confidential information to another male pertaining to a different individual. According to the charge, the information was "obtained in the course of carrying out your duties in your office or employment, knowing that the disclosure of said information was likely to have a harmful effect."
Mr Keane did not address the court, and there was no objection to his bail on the following conditions: provide a contact phone number, notify gardaí of any address change, and no contact, directly or indirectly, with any other parties or witnesses involved in the case.
He met the NBCI officer by arrangement at Kilmainham station, where he was arrested and charged shortly after 8am this morning. He has not indicated a plea either.
Judge O'Reilly also imposed reporting restrictions on his address.
Judge O'Reilly set cashless bail on his case at €3,000 and ordered him to appear again on 12 June. His defence counsel Paddy Jackson, instructed by solicitor Paul Molloy, asked that the question of legal aid be reserved so documents could be brought to court on the next date.
In an evening sitting, Detective Aidan Stratford, 50, from north Dublin, was brought before Judge Michele Finan.
His other alleged offences included disclosing confidential information or corruptly accepting a gift, inducement, or reward on February 25, 2020, for performing an act related to his position.
NBCI Detective Sergeant Paul Sweeney told the court that the accused was arrested just after 11 am and charged with the 170 offences.
The court heard that "I deny the charge" was his reply.
He did not address the court, sat leafing through his bundle of charges, and spoke only to consult with his solicitor, Damien Coffey.
Mr Coffey confirmed that his client would apply for High Court bail in due course.
