Courts / Limerick / Report

Corruption accused claimed senior gardai were involved in extorting money from him

Date
2026-02-03
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Limerick
County
Limerick

Summary

A Limerick car dealer on trial for alleged corruption has claimed that senior gardai were involved in extorting money from him, a trial has heard. Stephen O'Sullivan (43) is accused of giving or agreeing to give Detective Garda David Bourke a monetary gain as an inducement to reveal confidential information concerning an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) into his business. He has pleaded not guilty to the single count of corruption at Bruree, Co Limerick, on December 22, 2018. During the trial, David Gilmore, a former detective sergeant, testified that he arrested O'Sullivan in January 2019. O'Sullivan claimed he was being set up and that gardai were trying to extort €120,000 from him. He alleged that Detective Garda Bourke and a superintendent were involved in the CAB investigation and could influence its outcome. O'Sullivan said he felt under extreme pressure and feared reprisals if he made a formal complaint. He also claimed that gardai followed and harassed him, and that the superintendent appeared at his regular eateries.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Corruption accused claimed senior gardai were involved in extorting money from him. Charges or matters: the single count of corruption at Bruree, Co Limerick on December 22, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: He said that on the morning of January 23, 2019, he travelled to Cluain Arra, Newcastle West, Co Limerick in order to arrest Mr O'Sullivan. CNI source report

Case subjects

Stephen O'Sullivan

Accused

Charges: the single count of corruption at Bruree, Co Limerick on December 22, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
Garda Station
  • of charge. At Shannon Garda Station

Topics

Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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