THE MINISTER OF STATE in the Department of Justice has said the investigation into gardaí in Limerick had a devastating impact on policing in the city.

Fianna Fáil’s Niall Collins, TD, who is from Limerick, said he supports Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s calls for an examination of the conduct of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI).

 Earlier this week the Taoiseach Micheál Martin called for a review into the Limerick investigation earlier this week.

Some 130 gardaí and a large number of members of the public were investigated for the so-called “squaring” of penalty point road traffic offences such as speeding and mobile phone use. 

Squaring is garda slang for the use of discretion to terminate the issuing of road tickets. 

The investigation was led by the NBCI, a specialist national detective unit within An Garda Síochána, which led to the Limerick road traffic cancelling trial. 

Four serving gardaí were cleared in a Limerick court this week of perverting the course of justice after a six year long investigation and eight week trial.

A jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court cleared the officers and a retired superintendent of any wrongdoing after an eight-week trial. 

The defence successfully argued that the gardaí were using their power of discretion to halt minor prosecutions. 

The Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan has refused to speak on the specifics of the case. 

Today Junior Justice Minister Niall Collins issued a statement to The Journal and said that he will discuss the issue with O’Callaghan.

“I agree with and support the Taoiseach’s call for a review into what transpired around the investigation into the Gardaí in Limerick and I welcome the fact he will be discussing the matter with the Minister for Justice,” he added. 

Niall Collins, Justice Minister of State. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The four serving gardaí, Garda Anne-Marie Hassett, Garda Tom McGlinchey, Garda Colm Geary and Sergeant Michelle Leahy have all had their five-year-long suspensions lifted. Former Superintendent Eamon O’Neill had retired from the force.

Two other gardaí, members of the Limerick Road Policing Unit, have had their suspensions extended. They were not charged with offences due to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directing that there was no evidence to support a prosecution. The extension happened on the same day as the verdict.

Collins questioned the reason for the case and said that it breached a basic principle for considering the need for an investigation. 

“The key issue, as the Taoiseach highlighted, is proportionality and the principle of perspective. The investigation had a devastating, traumatic impact on those Gardaí, their careers and their families and on Garda morale.

“The principle of discretion is very important to policing and thankfully the four formerly suspended Gardaí have had their suspensions lifted and can return to serving their communities. I know that there are others who are still on suspension and I am sure the processes and systems relating to that are being looked at in light of this week’s events,” he said. 

Meanwhile multiple sources have confirmed there was a high level meeting in garda headquarters today which discussed the case. 

It is understood that the continuing suspensions formed part of the discussion. It is believed the meeting adjourned without a decision as garda top brass are awaiting legal advice.