Overview
- The jury began hearing closing arguments today in the Limerick trial of retired superintendent Eamon O’Neill and four serving gardaí, who deny 39 charges tied to alleged efforts to quash road traffic cases from 2016 to 2019.
- The prosecution argued the issue is equal treatment under the law, claiming that of 26 motorists referenced, all but two avoided points or court appearances because of their ties to Mr O’Neill, with the remaining two described as friends of friends.
- Prosecutors outlined an alleged process in which Mr O’Neill forwarded requests to Sgt Anne‑Marie Hassett, Garda Colm Geary and Garda Tom McGlinchey, and said Sgt Michelle Leahy ensured summonses were withdrawn.
- Text messages cited by the State included a “jokey tone” and references to a Limerick hurling panel player, with prosecutors calling some speeding figures “eye watering” and arguing the messages reflected favoritism rather than lawful discretion.
- The defence began its summation by attacking an earlier investigation that it said produced no charges beyond phone evidence, highlighting Mr O’Neill’s record, contesting the State’s characterization of discretion, and noting that motorists mentioned in texts were not called to testify.