National crime fighting agency carried out dawn raid on Limerick superintendent's home, trial told

The trial heard that the search had nothing to do with the charges currently before the court

Retired Superintendent Eamon O'Neill (pictured) was arrested at the scene by Chief Supt Walter O’Sullivan, GNBCI, and he was taken to Athlone Garda Station for questioning on suspicion of breaching Section 62 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005, which, the court heard, prohibits Garda members and staff from disclosing information obtained in the course of their duties that would likely have a 'harmful effect'. File picture

Detectives attached to a specialist national crime fighting agency carried out a dawn raid on the home of a Limerick garda superintendent, whom they suspected of disclosing sensitive information to a third party, a court heard on Tuesday.

The trial of retired superintendent Edmond “Eamon” O’Neill, and four serving gardaí, deny 39 counts of “engaging in conduct tending or intending to pervert the course of justice”, in respect of alleged interference in road traffic prosecutions.

The trial being held at Limerick Circuit Court, heard that, at 6.36am, May 16, 2019, detectives attached to the Dublin-based Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investiagtion (GNBCI) conducted a search of the home of Supt O’Neill and his partner Sgt Anne Marie Hassett’s home and their baby.

Supt O’Neill was arrested at the scene by Chief Supt Walter O’Sullivan, GNBCI, and he was taken to Athlone Garda Station for questioning on suspicion of breaching Section 62 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005, which, the court heard, prohibits Garda members and staff from disclosing information obtained in the course of their duties that would likely have a “harmful effect”.

Detective Garda Brian Reidy, GNBCI, gave evidence he was instructed to search Supt O’Neill’s house for mobile phones that were to be analysed.

Garda Sergeantt Anne Marie Hassett handed over her mobile phone and PIN number to the GNBCI during the search. File picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

He said Sgt Hassett was not a suspect in the section 62 probe, and that the search had nothing to do with the charges before the court that she, Mr O’Neill, and three other serving gardaí allegedly attempted to pervert the course of justice in respect of road traffic fixed charge penalty notices.

Det. Sgt Reidy said he found two mobile phones charging in Supt O’Neill’s master bedroom, one belonging to Mr O’Neill, which was sent to London for analysis, and the other belonging to Sgt Hassett.

The witness said he seized a further six mobile phones in a safe at the house. An Apple iPad and charging lead as well as a memory stick attached to a set of keys were also seized. A seventh phone was seized at a garda station where Eamon O’Neill was working at the time.

Felix McEnroy, senior counsel for Mr O’Neill, asked Det. Sgt Reidy if he had been aware of RTÉ television cameras being in Athlone where his client was being questioned by GNBCI that day.

Det. Sgt Reidy said he did not know anything about RTÉ being in Athlone and he was not in contact with anyone in the media about the investigation.

Prosecuting senior counsel, Carl Hanahoe, earlier told the jury retired superintendent Eamon O'Neill (pictured) was the common denominator in respect of all 39 charges. File picture: Press 22

The witness agreed, under cross-examination by James O’Mahony, senior counsel for Sgt Hassett, that his client handed over her mobile phone and PIN number to the GNBCI during the search.

Detective Sgt Reidy also agreed with Mr O’Mahony that the search was part of a “discreet” investigation.

Mr O’Mahony suggested that at least 10 GNBCI officers raiding his client’s home, wearing “raid jackets”, would “attract attention”, and that the search and arrest of a superintendent was “widely published” by the media at the time.

Mr O’Mahony added that “a criminal posted” a “video” on “social media” about the Garda raid.

Detective Sergeant Maria Cassells, GNBCI, who managed the search operation at Mr O’Neill’s house, said the Section 62 probe was led by her superior, Detective Inspector Michael McNulty.

Det. Sgt Cassells said she received a “briefing document” signed by DI McNulty prior to the search that included photos of Supt O’Neill and his house. Det. Sgt Cassells said the GNBCI officers removed their garda “raid jackets” on request from Sgt Hassett.

The witness agreed with Sgt Hassett’s counsel that Sgt Hassett was “mortified” that her neighbours, which included other gardaí, would see the officers raiding the house.

Det Sgt Cassells agreed that no criminal charges arose against Supt O’Neill nor any other garda in respect of the Section 62 probe.

Mr O’Neill, along with Sergeant Hassett, Sergeant Michelle Leahy, and gardaí Tom McGlinchey and Colm Geary, are on trial for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice, in respect of road traffic prosecutions.

The five were arrested and charged in May 2021, arising out of a GNBCI investigation.

Sergeant Michelle Leahy is accused of two counts of carrying out her duties as a Court Presenter, with intent to pervert the course of justice, by applying to a district court to have a summons withdrawn, and a summons struck out, in recent of two road traffic prosecutions. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

It’s the State’s case that citizens contacted Supt O’Neill about fixed charge penalty notices (FCPN), and that Supt O’Neill, in turn, allegedly contacted Garda colleagues for the purpose of terminating the FCPNs.

Prosecuting senior counsel, Carl Hanahoe, earlier told the jury Mr O’Neill was the common denominator in respect of all 39 charges.

“What all the offences have in common is the interference or involvement of Eamon O’Neill,” Mr Hanahoe said.

Between them, Sgt Hassett, Garda McGlinchey and Garda Geary, are charged with a total of 10 counts that they did communicate with another garda or gardaí for the purpose of terminating a potential or pending road traffic prosecution.

Sergeant Leahy is accused of two counts of carrying out her duties as a Court Presenter, with intent to pervert the course of justice, by applying to a district court to have a summons withdrawn, and a summons struck out, in recent of two road traffic prosecutions.

All five deny the charges. The trial before a jury of eight men and four women continues Wednesday.