The DPP is not proceeding with the prosecution of a woman for alleged theft from a shop owned by the wife of a Garda Superintendent, the High Court heard today
Ms Margaret McGreal claims Supt Patrick Doyle had told her a failure to pay him €30,000 would lead to his "hanging her in court" and that she had paid the money but that a summons was still served on her.
Ms McGreal is not to be prosecuted for the alleged theft of €582.90 from the shop in Castlebar and, in proceedings against the DPP and Garda Commission, she is seeking repayment of €30,000 which, she alleges, she paid to Supt Doyle to prevent her prosecution.
Ms McGreal had denied the allegation of theft from the Bees Neez children's clothing shop at Castle Street, Castlebar, which is owned by Supt Doyle's wife.
Mr Justice Quirke was told yesterday that, since proceedings taken by Ms McGreal were before the court earlier in the year, the DPP had decided not to proceed with her prosecution for the alleged theft.
In February last, it was claimed in court that Supt Doyle, then stationed in Westport, Co Mayo, had sought the €30,000 during a conversation with Mr Daniel Coleman, solicitor for Ms Margaret McGreal and the money was paid over.
When the case was before the court previously, Ms McGreal, of Main Street, Balla, Castlebar, was given leave to seek an order by way of judicial review restraining her prosecution. Despite the €30,000 being allegedly paid over and Ms Doyle signing a retraction of her complaint, Ms McGreal submitted at the earlier hearing that she had received summonses indicating that she was being prosecuted for the theft of €582.90.
She denied the charge.
Counsel for the DPP told Mr Justice Quirke yesterday that since the case was before the court previously, his client had decided not to proceed with the prosecution. The €30,000 was not in the possession of the DPP, he added.