Army officer suffered years of ‘distress’ facing criminal charges that have since been dropped

For more than two and a half years, Commandant Alan Kearney had criminal charges hanging over him — but no evidence was ever produced, and all charges have since been dropped

Cmdt Alan Kearney. The 'Irish Examiner' understands the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is investigating the criminal charges against him and processes that dragged on for years. 

An investigation is being conducted into how a highly-regarded member of the Defence Forces was subjected to criminal charges over a protracted period for which no evidence was eventually produced.

Captain Alan Kearney was due for both a promotion and appointment to the prestigious post of Captain of the Guard in the Houses of the Oireachtas in 2021 when he was relieved of his post, his home subjected to a garda search, and he eventually faced 12 criminal charges.