Garda HQ lifts suspensions on Limerick-based gardaí

David Raleigh

Two Limerick-based gardaí who had criminal charges dropped against them earlier today were later informed that suspensions imposed on them six years ago had been lifted.

This morning the State officially withdrew a total of 33 charges against Garda Paul Baynham, Garda Niall Deegan, and Peter O’Donnell who retired from the force about a month ago.

Tonight Garda Headquarters confirmed that Garda Baynham and Garda Deegan’s suspensions had been lifted opening the way for their immediate return to work.

“An Garda Síochána notes the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw charges at Limerick Circuit Court today. Suspensions against two members of An Garda Síochána in the Southern region have been lifted. An Garda Síochána has no further comment at this time,” stated Garda HQ.

'Witch hunt'

The three accused walked free from court with their innocence intact after enduring a “six-year hell” and a “witch hunt”, having faced unproven accusations of perverting the course of justice.

All three, who had denied any wrongdoing, were suspended from the Limerick Garda Divisional Roads Policing Unit in 2019, following a garda probe into alleged unlawful interference into potential or pending road traffic prosecutions.

The probe was focused entirely on the Limerick Garda Division and led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), based out of Garda offices at Harcourt Square, Dublin.

Today, at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, prosecuting barrister, senior counsel Carl Hanahoe, withdrew all of the charges by entering in court a "nolle prosequi" a Latin term meaning ‘do not prosecute’.

The GNBCI investigation also led to four more gardai, including Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett, Sergeant Michelle Leahy, Garda Tom McGlinchey and Garda Colm Geary, and retired

Superintendent Eamon O'Neill, being charged.

These five accused were each acquitted by a jury following a nine-week trial, held at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court between November 2025 and January 2026.

The five accused defence counsels argued the case was centred around the long-standing practice of “garda discretion” whereby gardaí use their own common sense when dealing with members of the public.

The prosecution had argued that preferential treatment was given to certain members of the public because of their association with Eamon O’Neill when he was a Superintendent in the Limerick Division, which was denied.

Hassett and O'Neill, who are married, have initiated High Court proceedings against the State seeking damages.

Speaking outside Limerick courthouse today, garda Frank Thornton, Garda Representative Association, Limerick Division, said Peter O’Donnell, Paul Baynham and Niall Deegan, had suffered a “six-year hell” while waiting for the matter to come before the courts.

Mr Thornton said the GRA’s “sense of relief” at the withdrawing of the charges was “hampered by a suffocating emotion of anger and disbelief that our colleagues and their families have had to endure more than six years of exile, suffering, personal anguish, and character assassination”.

“As a Division, the members in the Limerick Division have shown unmeasurable resilience in maintaining the highest possible standard of service to the people of Limerick while our confidence and morale has been shattered,” said Thornton.

Thornton said he had “continuously highlighted the absolute necessity for an independent appeals process for the An Garda Síochána Suspension Policy”.

“These members along with other members throughout the country, are living proof that the Garda Commissioner must include an independent appeals process for the An Garda Síochána Suspension Policy, and anything less is a dire dilution of our basic employee rights and entitlements to fair, independent due process,” he said.

“What has unfolded here in Limerick with this witch hunt, is a stark reminder to all, that an independent public inquiry of this investigation is not an option for the Minister for Justice, it’s an absolute necessity.”

“The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have agreed with a review, but I believe that the only review possible is one in the form of an independent public inquiry.”

Thornton said: “The people of Ireland deserve answers as to how over 2,500 lifesaver offences were simply struck out, due to this botched investigation, while our colleagues were suspended.”

Gardaí who are not present in court through suspension or otherwise are not available to prosecute cases in court, and therefore a judge can decide to strike-out or withdraw the charges.

The Garda Commissioner, Justin Kelly, and the Minster for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, have previously indicated that they did not believe an independent report was necessary.

Mr Thornton said he was “concerned with what appears to be a closing of the ranks between the Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice, who recently appeared to sing from the same hymn sheet of “nothing to see here move on””.

“An Garda Síochána is founded on trust and transparency, therefore, let our leaders lead the way now with an independent public inquiry,” added Mr Thornton.

Solicitor Liz Hughes, Hughes Murphy, representing O’Donnell, Gda Baynham and Gda Deegan, said the three gardaí “would like to acknowledge the support from their families and friends and colleagues, who saw daily the toll this took on them and whose reassurance kept them going”.

“The complaint against these members was always without foundation,” said Hughes.

“From the moment I was first instructed in these matters I was of this view, and I have not wavered ever since.”

Hughes continued: “Garda Management is just as well aware as we are of this custom and practice established over many generations of Community Policing. “

“What’s more, Garda Frank Thornton, in his role as then President of the GRA, took every opportunity to remind them of this, articulating that one Division and certain Members in particular were being treated unequally and unfairly.”

“Garda Management could have listened but seemingly refused to,” said Ms Hughes.

'Public inquiry'

Hughes called for “public inquiry” to “address these matters and the questions as to how this happened, and the consequences that flowed from it”.

In response, a spokesperson for the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, said the minster had noted the withdrawal of charges against the three accused.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions is independent under the Prosecution of Offences Act, 1974 (as amended),” said the spokesperson.

“It is also important to recall that all persons accused of offences before the courts are innocent until proven guilty. That principle is at the heart of our criminal justice system,” they added.

Garda Headquarters did not immediately respond.