Garda sergeant ‘pretended to be member of public’

A GARDA sergeant from outside the Kerry district pretended to be a member of the public when she handed in a black purse containing cash and a headache tablet to a garda on duty in Killarney Garda Station, the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee heard yesterday.

Sergeant Mary O’Shaughnessy, of Mayorstone station, Limerick, was giving evidence on the first day of the trial of Killarney- based garda Michael Fitzgerald at the Circuit Criminal Court, in Tralee.

Garda Fitzgerald has denied stealing €190.18 and a Panadol tablet, the property of Mary O’Shaughnessy at the Garda Station, New Road, Killarney, between August 6, 2003 and September 16, 2003.