Judge gives 'conservative estimate' as to how long Limerick garda trial will last

THE LIMERICK garda trial is scheduled to sit another two weeks in January, Judge Roderick Maguire has determined. 

The trial, which began at Limerick Circuit Court on November 11 last, was initially predicted to take six weeks. However, this Thursday, Judge Maguire told the court that his “conservative estimate” is that the case will need an extension of two weeks in January to be heard in full. 

Informing the jury of the news, Judge Maguire said it is “nobody’s fault” and that “these matters have developed”. 

The contents of some messages from retired Superintendent Eamonn O’Neill’s were given in evidence to the jury during this Thursday's proceedings.

Several of the messages extracted from Mr O’Neill’s phone, which were read in court, related to the striking out of unpaid fixed notice fines for road traffic summonses from 2018. 

In one message regarding the issuing of a fixed notice penalty, Mr O’Neill texted in reply that he would “strike it out no bother”. 

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The five accused in the case are retired Superintendent Edmond (Eamon) O’Neill, who was previously stationed at Roxboro Road garda station, Sergeant Michelle Leahy of Roxboro Road garda station, Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett of the Kerry garda division, Garda Tom McGlinchey of Murroe garda station and Garda Colm Geary of the Clare garda division. 

All five defendants have pleaded not guilty to a total of 39 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The trial will continue until December 19, with a recess until January 12.  It is then expected to continue until the end of January. 

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