'Not acceptable' that Limerick councillor sought to have speeding ticket cancelled

Limerick City and County councillor Liam Galvin texted former Garda superintendent  seeking to have  speeding ticket cancelled, Garda trial told

Simon Harris: 'There will now be a Fine Gael regulatory hearing in relation to the matter. That behaviour is unacceptable and that process will thoroughly examine this issue and deliver a recommendation.' File picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

It is not acceptable that a Fine Gael councillor lobbied to have speed cameras moved and sought to have penalty points cancelled, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.

The Fine Gael leader has criticised the actions of Limerick City and County councillor Liam Galvin, who texted former Garda superintendent Eamonn O’Neill seeking to have a speeding ticket cancelled.

The matter was raised during a recent trial in Limerick, where on Monday, four serving gardaí and a former superintendent were found not guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The five defendents — Mr O’Neill, sergeants Anne Marie Hassett and Michelle Leahy, and gardaí Tom McGlinchey and Colm Geary — had been accused of 38 counts of unlawfully interfering in potential or pending prosecutions involving 26 motorists.

The jury also heard how Mr Galvin had introduced a motion to Limerick City and County Council seeking to lobby the Government to move the location of GoSafe vans in the county.

Asked about the matter on Tuesday, Mr Harris said he believed Mr Galvin’s actions were “clearly” not acceptable.

“There will now be a Fine Gael regulatory hearing in relation to the matter. That behaviour is unacceptable and that process will thoroughly examine this issue and deliver a recommendation,” Mr Harris said.

In a statement issued on Monday night, Mr Galvin said he deeply regretted contacting Mr O’Neill on the matter.

“It was an error of judgment, and I apologise for that,” said Mr Galvin.

“I co-operated fully with An Garda Síochána in relation to this case. I understand this matter is now being referred to the Fine Gael regulatory committee and I will fully co-operate with that process.”