Former garda accused of facilitating crime gang to commit serious offences granted bail
Ex-superintendent faces charges covering five years amid multi-defendant corruption investigation
A former Garda superintendent, John Murphy, has been granted bail after being accused of facilitating a crime gang to commit serious offences, according to prosecutors. Murphy, who is 51, faces charges spanning five years, stemming from a multi-defendant corruption investigation. He was initially remanded in custody and appeared via video-link at Dublin District Court on Friday before Judge Alan Mitchell.
The prosecution requested additional time to prepare evidence, leading to a five-week adjournment. Murphy's defence solicitor, Danica Kinane, confirmed that her client has obtained bail in the High Court and will be present in person for the next court date.
Murphy is alleged to have participated in or contributed to activities, between April 12th, 2016 and September 29th, 2021, that were intended to help serious offences by a criminal organization, as per section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. He faces seven charges of bribery under the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018.
Additionally, Murphy is accused of four common law charges for communicating with a serving Garda in a manner intended to pervert the course of public justice, between April 2016 and January 2018.
Four of Murphy's colleagues have been charged in connection with the investigation. Insp Brian Roberts (51) is accused of unlawfully disclosing confidential information on October 10th, 2018. Garda Eoghan Clerkin (51) faces charges related to attempting to obtain a corrupt gift inducement on February 19th, 2018, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Clerkin is also accused of facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organization from January 12th, 2018, to June 13th, 2019. Lastly, Garda Manus Keane (46) is charged with disclosing confidential information on November 13th, 2014, which could have had a harmful effect, and Det Aidan Stratford (50) is alleged to have contributed to activities intended to facilitate serious offenses by a criminal organization between 2016 and 2021, alongside another 170 charges.
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