Garda representative group calls for public inquiry into prosecutions against Limerick gardaí labelling it as a "witch hunt"
Limerick and Clare gardaí - Garda Niall Deegan, Garda John Shanahan, former garda Peter O'Donnell, Garda Paul Baynham, Garda Alan Griffin and Garda Tom McGlinchey, along with Detective Garda Eamonn Cunnane, were all given a standing ovation at the Garda Representative Association (GRA) conference in Mayo.
THERE was rousing applause and a standing ovation at the annual Garda Representative Association (GRA) conference in solidarity with gardaí who had come before the courts and been acquitted, including members from Limerick and Clare garda divisions.
The GRA conference in Westport heard the prosecution and subsequent acquittal of the Limerick gardaí in a long trial, which spanned across court terms in Limerick Circuit Court, described as a "witch hunt."
Niall O'Connor of the Journal.ie reports that the GRA members voted unanimously in calling for a public inquiry to examine the garda handling of the cases.
There was a standing ovation for Garda Niall Deegan, Garda John Shanahan, former garda Peter O'Donnell, Garda Paul Baynham, Garda Alan Griffin and Garda Tom McGlinchey, along with Detective Garda Eamonn Cunnane.
Detective Garda Cunnane was wrongly accused of stealing a bike - he was suspended from garda duties for three years and later cleared of all allegations.
He stood on the stage at the GRA conference with seven other gardaí from the Limerick and Clare garda divisions.
READ ALSO: Limerick garda trial one of the most 'extraordinary' in recent history of the State, court hears
Five of those on stage at the 48th GRA conference, were charged with perverting the course of justice for attempting to terminate Fixed Charge Penalty Notices (FCPN's) in relation to road traffic offences.
At the GRA conference, member Mark O'Meara told Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan: "We demand justice in practice - fair rights, fair rates and fair treatment for our garda colleagues."
The trials of gardaí were also described as "a shameful stain on our organisation's history."
In November 2025, retired superintendent Eamon O’Neill, Garda Colm Geary, Garda Tom McGlinchey, Sergeant Michelle Leahy and Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett were all on trial in Limerick Circuit Court.
Each of them pleaded not guilty to a total of 39 charges and after a lengthy trial, a jury of eight men and four women deliberated for six hours and seven minutes before delivering verdicts of not guilty on all charges and all of the accused were acquitted.
It was the longest trial in living memory at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.