by David Raleigh
A DETECTIVE Garda and a businessman have been listed to appear before Dublin Circuit Court for trial next February, charged with corruption offences.
The case, involving allegations that Detective Garda David Bourke took a bribe from Stephen O’Sullivan in return for passing him information about a garda probe into his business, has been listed for trial before a judge and jury at Court No 7, on February 14, 2022.
Detective Bourke (50), with an address in Co Limerick, is accused of two charges relating to “corruptly obtaining” a payment or gift from Mr O’Sullivan, (39), a director of Bawn Motors car sales business, located on Ballysimon Road, Limerick.
It’s alleged Detective Bourke received the bung for revealing to Mr O’Sullivan confidential information about an investigation being carried out by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in relation to Bawn Motors.
Mr O’Sullivan, with an address at Farrehy, Broadford, Co Limerick, is charged with one count of corruptly providing or agreeing to provide Detective Bourke a payment or advantage in return for confidential information regarding the CAB investigation into Bawn Motors.
The three charges were filed under the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act, 2018 as having occurred at a location at Bruree, Co Limerick.
Detective Bourke and Mr O’Sullivan were arrested separately on December 22, 2018, by members of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), as part of a major probe into suspected corruption by members of An Garda Síochána in the southern region.
Detective Bourke was arrested at 8.25am by Detective Inspector Michael McNulty in Co Tipperary, and conveyed to Shannon Garda Station, Co Clare where he was charged and made no reply to the accusations.
Detective Bourke has been on bail on remand for the past two years; as part of his bail terms he must sign on twice a week at Tipperary Town Garda Station; surrender his passport and not apply for any other travel documents; and be available to gardaí at all times on a charged and in credit mobile phone.
Stephen O’Sullivan was arrested at 8.57am on the same morning by Detective Sergeant Dave Gilmore, GNBCI, at Broadford, Co Limerick, and taken to Shannon Garda Station for the purpose of charge.
At a previous hearing before Limerick District Court it was heard Mr O’Sullivan was employed at Newmarket, Co Cork, however details of his employment was not disclosed in court.
As part of his bail terms, Mr O’Sullivan must sign on twice a week at Kanturk Garda Station, Co Cork, and he must notify gardaí in writing of he intends to change his home address.
