Two gardaí accused of a number of charges to stand trial
The two gardai appeared before a sitting of Longford District Court.
Two gardaí are to stand trial in the Circuit Criminal Court accused of a number of charges in the midlands.
Garda Brian Carroll (42) of Ballinaboy, Kilteevan, Co Roscommon, and Sergeant James Muldowney (47) of Greenville, Caltra, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court before Judge Michael Connellan on Monday
Garda Carroll was charged with disclosing confidential information to a named male at Esquires Coffee, N4 Axis Centre, Longford on September 12, 2021 while knowing the release of such was 'likely to have a harmful effect' under Section 62 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
He was further charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by damaging his mobile phone prior to the lawful search of his home on March 16, 2022.
His garda colleague, Sgt Muldowney's charges related to allegations of theft and attempting to obstruct the course of justice.
The two gardai appeared before a sitting of Longford District Court.
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The first of those is alleged to have occurred on September 29, 2021 at Palace Drive, Ardnacassa, Longford, where the accused is alleged to have stolen a sum of cash.
The more recent and second charge alleges that Sgt Muldowney did 'harm, threaten, menace, intimidate, put in fear' a named male witness at Lanesboro Street, Roscommon, on January 17, 2024 with the intention of causing an investigation to be 'obstructed, perverted or interfered' with contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1999.
The gardaí are both serving officers attached to the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Garda Division.
Detective Sergeant Paul Dowling gave evidence of having arrested the two men by appointment at Granard Garda Station on July 28.
He said both officers made no reply when the charges were put to them before giving the pair true copies of each charge sheet linked to the investigation.
He said directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had been received, instructions which had paved the way for both cases to go before the Circuit Criminal Court.
Det Sgt Dowling also revealed the DPP would be consenting to one or both officers going forward on a signed guilty plea 'should that arise' in due course.
He consequently applied for an eight-week adjournment to allow for the preparation and servicing of a book of evidence.
Defence counsel for Garda Carroll, Niall Flynn BL, said his client remained anxious for that exercise to be expedited as swiftly as possible in light of the fact he had 'professed his innocence' from the outset and was very much eager to 'clear his name'.
Diarmuid Quinn, defence solicitor for Sgt Muldowney, said his client was likewise consenting to an eight-week remand.
In doing so, he asked for the accused to be excused on its return date should there be any hold-up in the servicing of a book of evidence.
Judge Connellan approved that request and sanctioned the State's application compelling Sgt Muldowney to refrain from contacting any prosecution witnesses in relation to the case either directly or indirectly.
Both officers were consequently remanded on bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on October 14.
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