Fine Gael Councillor Faces Trial Over Alleged Speeding Ticket Interference

A trial currently underway at the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court has revealed that Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin allegedly solicited assistance from a Garda Superintendent to influence a speeding ticket. On November 12, 2017, Galvin was recorded driving at 142 kph in a 120 kph zone on the M20 in Patrickswell, County Limerick. During this time, he sent text messages to Eamon O’Neill, the Garda Superintendent, requesting that he “sort” the ticket.

Text messages exchanged between Galvin and O’Neill are central to the case, with the court hearing that Galvin sent an image of the fixed charge penalty notice to O’Neill, accompanied by a message that read: “Please read, chat later.” O’Neill responded by commenting on the officer who issued the ticket, stating, “A decent lady.” Galvin then replied, “sort her so.”

As the trial progresses, forensic telecommunications examiner Laura Galligan presented evidence from Galvin’s phone, showing a continued request for assistance. In one message, Galvin directly asked O’Neill, “Can you sort that for me?” to which O’Neill replied, “I’m trying my friend.” The messages also indicated a casual relationship between the two, with Galvin jokingly referencing a council motion about speed vans in Limerick, stating, “Ha ha ha.”

While Galvin is not on trial and has not faced any charges or arrests connected to the investigation, the focus remains on O’Neill and four other serving officers from An Garda Síochána. They are accused of unlawfully interfering in pending road traffic prosecutions, with each pleading not guilty to a total of 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The prosecution’s case is that O’Neill received requests from civilians and fellow officers to withdraw or dismiss potential road traffic offences. According to the State, O’Neill then forwarded these requests to his co-accused, seeking to have the cases reconsidered.

In his defense, O’Neill claimed that interactions involving high-ranking members of An Garda Síochána regarding fixed charge penalty notices are not criminal. He stated, “Discretion is part of good policing,” emphasizing that internal policies allow for such communications.

Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett, one of the accused, defended her actions as part of established procedures for assisting prosecuting officers. She strongly denied the charges against her, asserting that her conduct adhered to the principles set forth in the 2013 Discretionary Powers report by Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahony.

This trial, now in its fifth week, continues to unfold, shedding light on the interactions between public officials and law enforcement in matters of traffic enforcement. As the proceedings progress, further revelations may emerge regarding the extent of such practices within An Garda Síochána.