Jury told 'narrowing narrative' during 'vicious' prosecution of retired garda, defence claims

Some of the motorists involved included members of the Limerick senior hurling panel, which Mr O’Neill was associated with

The court heard motorists contacted Eamon O’Neill when he was a superintendent. He, in turn, forwarded the requests to Garda Tom McGlinchey and Garda Colm Geary, who contacted the investigating garda involved in the cases. File picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

The prosecution of a retired garda superintendent and four serving gardaí accused of unlawfully interfering in potential or pending road traffic summonses is “insane” and “vicious”, a barrister for one of the accused has said.

Retired Superintendent Eamon O’Neill, Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett, Sergeant Michelle Leahy, Garda Colm Geary, and Garda Tom McGlinchey have denied a total of 39 counts at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court of unlawfully interfering in potential or pending prosecutions involving 26 motorists.