Clare garda charged with threatening witness

A Shannon-based garda, who was suspended from duty earlier today, has been charged with threatening a woman due to appear as a witness in a public order case against him.

Pat Keating, aged 32, with an address at Woodlands, Ennis, was arrested shortly before midday today at Abbey St in Ennis after gardaí received a call from a woman alleging he had threatened her.

Garda Keating later appeared before Judge Leo Malone at a sitting of Limerick District Court.

The court heard evidence from a senior garda that the 32-year-old Clare man is due before Ennis District Court on September 9 next in relation to another matter. It’s understood that this case relates to a drunk and disorderly offence under the Public Order Act.

Garda Keating was present in court today and was dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt.

Superintendent John Kerin from Ennis garda station told the court that a female witness in the upcoming court case contacted gardaí in the early hours of this morning.

She alleged that she had been threatened by Garda Keating and that “the inference made was that her life was in danger”, the court heard.

Garda Keating was charged under Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act that he did on August 18 last at Ballycasey in Shannon, threaten or menace a witness in proceedings for an offence with the intention of causing the course of justice to he perverted, obstructed or interfered with.

Limerick District Court heard that Garda Keating made no reply to the charge after he was cautioned at Ennis Garda Station shortly before midday today.

Giving evidence at Limerick District Court Supt Kerin described the offence against Garda Keating as “very serious” and added that while the state was not objecting to bail it was insisting on “strict” bail conditions.

Judge Leo Malone ordered that the accused must stay away from the six named witnesses in the upcoming case.

A list containing the names of all of the six witnesses was then handed into the court.

Bail was granted on the accused’s own bond of €900 and the case was adjourned until September 9 next to Ennis District Court.

Garda Keating was suspended from today at Shannon garda station for three days – the suspension will be reviewed after that period expires.