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Criminal who received leaked data from Garda pulse system appeals sentence

Summary

Ryan Fitzpatrick, 27, of Malahide, has appealed his sentence of three years and nine months in the Court of Appeal. Fitzpatrick, the appellant, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to corruptly offering a gift to a civilian working for An Garda Siochana to convince her to do an act in relation to her employment on a date unknown. He also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice by attempting to destroy a mobile phone linked to a specific SIM card in Malahide on May 27, 2020. His defence counsel, Pieter Le Vert BL, argued that Fitzpatrick was treated unfairly compared to his co-accused, the civilian employee, who received a two-and-a-half-year sentence for providing sensitive information from the Garda Pulse system. The defence contended there was no justification for the disparity in sentencing. Joe Mulrean BL, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, responded that there was no error and the sentence imposed was "perfectly appropriate." He highlighted that Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to both corruption and perverting the course of justice, noting he was on bail at the time, exploited a vulnerable co-accused, and has multiple previous convictions for drugs, road traffic, and endangerment offences. Although Fitzpatrick threw his phone in a toilet during a raid, gardaí salvaged the SIM card, which was linked to messages and images taken from the Garda Pulse system. Fitzpatrick fled Ireland and was later extradited. Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, stated that the court will deliver judgment at a later date, meaning the matter was adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Criminal who received leaked data from Garda pulse system appeals sentence. Charges or matters: corruptly offering a gift to a civilian working for An Garda Siochana to convince her to do an act in relation to her employment on a date unknown. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• May 27, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-01-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Road Traffic Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report