Thurles Information

Suspensions lifted for two Limerick Gardaí after long-running fixed-charge probe, with no case to answer.

Two gardaí who were suspended in late 2020, arising from a Garda investigation into the alleged unlawful “squaring” of fixed charge penalty points, have had their suspensions lifted and have been told they have no case to answer.

The two members, who were attached to the Limerick division, were contacted by Garda Headquarters today, Thursday, 12th February 2026, and informed they would be reinstated to An Garda Síochána if they so wished.

The suspensions were imposed in November 2020, and the two gardaí had consistently maintained their innocence throughout what has been described as a prolonged period of uncertainty. In reports on Thursday’s development, the suspensions were characterised as spanning a period at more than five years.

“No further comment” from Gardaí.
When asked for comment on Thursday night, a Garda press officer confirmed the suspensions had been lifted, saying: “Today, 12th February 2026, suspensions against 2 members of An Garda Síochána in the Southern region were lifted.”
The press officer added that Gardaí would not be providing any further comment on internal conduct investigations.

It was also reported that neither of the two gardaí had been charged with any criminal offences arising out of the inquiry, which was led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

High Court move and “limbo” period.
Lawyers acting for the two gardaí had previously brought an application to the High Court seeking that the suspensions be lifted, arguing that no criminal charges had been brought and that there appeared to be no clear resolution in sight.
One of the two gardaí was also reported to have suffered serious injuries in the line of duty after a suspect rammed a Garda patrol car.

Garda association: “a gross mis-justice”
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mr Frank Thornton of the Garda Representative Association in Limerick said the suspensions had been challenged from the outset. “We have fought these suspensions from the very beginning on the 7th November 2020, and they have been a gross mis-justice for both members,” the statement said.

It added that repeated representations had been made to Garda management about the “unjust nature” of the suspensions, and that the members felt they had no option but to seek relief through High Court proceedings, which were said to be ongoing.

The statement continued: “Thankfully, today Garda management has reinstated these members, and we now begin the process of recovery from what has been a truly devastating and painful period for these members and their families.”

Wider probe and recent trial
The lifting of the two suspensions comes against the backdrop of a broader inquiry, in which around 130 gardaí in the southern region were interviewed by the GNBCI, according to reports.

In a separate but connected strand of the same overall investigation, four serving gardaí and a retired Garda superintendent who had been suspended and charged, were acquitted by a jury in January 2026 following a lengthy trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Those accused had faced allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice and had denied the charges. Following the acquittals, the Garda Commissioner lifted the suspensions of the four serving members.

The retired superintendent, Eamon O’Neill, has since retired from the force. Reports have also noted that he and another of the acquitted parties have initiated legal proceedings seeking damages arising from their arrests.

What happens next:
For the two gardaí whose suspensions were lifted on Thursday, the key point is that they have been informed they have no case to answer, and reinstatement is available should they choose to take it up.
While Gardaí have declined further comment on internal conduct matters, the decision ends a prolonged period of uncertainty for the two members at the centre of Thursday’s announcement and reopens broader questions about timelines, oversight and the human cost of extended suspensions where no criminal charges ultimately follow.