Senior Garda pleads not guilty to frustrating drink drive prosecution
A senior Garda is to stand trial in February accused of attempting to frustrate a drink drive prosecution.
Detective Inspector Paul O'Brien with an address at Moyville, Rathfarhnam in Dublin had been summonsed to appeared at Dublin District Court today.
It is alleged that he consumed alcohol with intention of frustrating a prosecution under Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, at his home address on May 6 last.
The officer stood up when Judge Bryan Smyth asked if he was present but he did not address the court.
His barrister told the judge that a hearing date would be required meaning that he is pleading not guilty to the charge.
Judge Smyth also heard that the prosecution will be calling seven witnesses and the hearing will last about two hours. No evidence has been heard yet and Judge Smyth ordered the officer, who was wearing a dark suit and a pin striped shirt, to appear again in February for his non-jury district court trial.
The prosecution has been taken following a submission of a file by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission to the DPP.
