Garda Commissioner given three weeks to file opposition papers in detective’s case

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court has directed the Garda Commissioner to file opposition papers within three weeks in Detective Garda Eamonn Cunnane’s judicial review case, or risk the matter being heard without a defence. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty made the direction following an application by his barrister, Sarah Cooney. The proceedings were reported on 10 March 2026.

Cunnane says a Garda investigation following his loan of an unclaimed bicycle to a vulnerable neighbour during the Covid-19 pandemic caused mental and physical illness. He challenges the refusal to classify his illness as an injury on duty and seeks restoration of full pay for March to September 2025, which he says was related to work-related stress.

On 17 April 2021, Cunnane was informed by the Director of Public Prosecutions that no criminal charge would be brought against him. An internal disciplinary investigation subsequently concluded that he should be reinstated on a limited basis. A later Garda board of inquiry concluded that he had not committed a serious breach of discipline. It was submitted that he was cleared of any allegation of misuse of Garda property. He returned to full-time duty in March 2024.