Gardai Under Investigation for Alleged Corruption Appear in Local Court in the Midlands
Two Gardaí from the Mayo-Roscommon-Longford division in Ireland are facing corruption-related charges following an investigation by the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit (GACU).
Sgt James Muldowney (age 47) and Garda Brian Carroll (age 42) appeared in court in the midlands on Monday before Judge Michael Connellan. Both men remained silent during the brief preliminary hearing.
The charges against Sgt Muldowney include stealing a quantity of cash at a property in Longford on September 29, 2021, and attempting to obstruct the course of justice in Roscommon Town in January 2024. Judge Connellan agreed to Sgt Muldowney's request and directed him not to make contact, directly or indirectly, with the witnesses in the case. Sgt Muldowney requested to be excused from attending court if the book of evidence is not yet ready.
Garda Carroll is charged with disclosing confidential information obtained in the course of his duties in September 2021 and attempting to pervert the course of justice by allegedly damaging his mobile phone prior to the lawful search of his home in March 2022. He is also accused of damaging his mobile phone before a Garda search of his home in 2022.
Niall Flynn, BL, defending Garda Carroll, stated that his client is protesting his innocence and "anxious to clear his name". Judge Connellan remanded Garda Carroll on continuing bail to appear again at Longford District Court on October 14th next.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed trial by indictment for both Garda Carroll and Sgt Muldowney. Det Sgt Paul Dowling of the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit (GACU) gave evidence of arresting and charging the defendants on July 28th last. The DPP has agreed that both accused could be sent forward on a "signed plea, should this arise".
These charges are part of a broader anti-corruption investigation into their conduct while serving in the midlands Garda division, implicating breaches of trust, misuse of confidential information, theft, and obstruction of justice. The two men were arrested on July 28, 2022, at Granard Garda Station. Both men did not reply to the charges during their court appearance. Their prosecutions have been directed by the DPP, with the cases set to proceed in Circuit Criminal Court. They have since been remanded on continuing bail and are due to appear again before Longford District Court in October 2022.
The general-news headlines are expected to discuss the ongoing corruption investigation in Ireland's midlands Garda division, involving Sgt James Muldowney and Garda Brian Carroll, who are charged with various crimes such as stealing, obstructing justice, and disclosing confidential information. The trial by indictment for both officers, as directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has been set to proceed in the Circuit Criminal Court.
