Gardaí interviewed in relation to fixed charge penalty notices

Up to 13 members of An Garda Síochána were interviewed on Monday at a Limerick station as part of an investigation into the alleged “squaring away” of fixed charge penalty notices and related court summonses, it is understood.

The latest round of questioning of individual gardaí comes after it was reported by last week that a high-ranking member of the force was interviewed as part of the same probe.

The majority of the gardaí who have been questioned are or have served in the Limerick Garda Division.

When asked for comment about the questioning of individual gardaí on Monday, a Garda Headquarters spokeswoman said: “An Garda Síochána does not comment on on-going investigations.”

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Allegations against members of the force serving in Tipperary, Clare, Kerry, Wicklow, Galway, Waterford, as well as the Dublin Metropolitan Region, are also being investigated.

The probe is being led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), under the direction of Chief Superintendent Angela Willis, who it was announced on Monday has been promoted to the head of the specialised garda investigation unit, based at Harcourt Square, Dublin.

It has been reported that around 250 gardaí have been questioned as part of the probe but a source with knowledge of the investigation put the figure at approximately 60 , including those interviewed on Monday.

A number of civilians who are suspected of having fixed charge penalty notices or court summonses cancelled by gardaí have also been interviewed.

The questioning of the high-ranking garda is believed to have been carried out by GNBCI detectives at a solicitor’s office.

The questioning of gardaí and civilians follows the seizure of mobile phones and documents at garda stations, as well as at private households.

It is understood a number of rank and file gardaí have claimed superior officers directed them to cancel traffic tickets.

Four serving gardaí along with a retired Superintendent have been charged and are awaiting trial on a total of 42 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice as part of the GNBCI probe, which relates to fixed charge notices issued in respect of offences including, speeding; driving without insurance; failing to produce insurance; holding a mobile phone while driving.

The five accused facing trial at Limerick Circuit Court are retired Superintendent Edmund “Eamon” O’Neill, (54), with an address in Co Clare; Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett, (37), with an address in Clare; Sergeant Michelle Leahy, (45), with an address in Co Limerick; Garda Tom McGlinchey, (49), with an address in Co Tipperary; Garda Colm Geary, (35), with an address in Clare.