The case where a Garda is charged with the unauthorised disclosure of Garda PULSE personal data on 14 individuals to a co-accused charged with a drug trafficking offence “is a complex matter”, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court, Shane Flanagan (39) of Lifford Rd, Ennis today made his second court appearance where he is facing 14 separate counts of disclosing personal data on the Garda PULSE Information system to another person on dates between January 12th 2020 to September 24th 2020.
A Book of Evidence was due to be served on Mr Flanagan today and solicitor, Tara Godfrey told the court the Book of Evidence was “expected and anticipated”.
However, Sgt John Burke told the court that the Book of Evidence is not yet ready as “it is a complex matter”.
Sgt Burke said that State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey requires more time to draw up the Book of Evidence and he asked to extend time to September 25th to serve the book.
Acting as agent for Mr Flanagan’s solicitor, Dan O’Gorman, Ms Godfrey said the accused is not prejudiced by the extension of time as the next call over date for cases at the circuit court is after the September 25th date.
The charges relate to Mr Flanagan disclosing the personal data without authorisation from the Garda PULSE system to Colm Meere (43) of Knockanean, Ennis of 14 separate individuals and only their initials are provided on the charges in order to protect their identity.
The individuals’ initials are listed as LL, FS, LMc, RN, SH, DC, WS, LG, GL, NC, KR, KD, DD and IS.
Mr Flanagan is charged under the Data Protection Act.
Mr Flanagan’s co-accused, Colm Meere is facing companion PULSE charges where he is charged with inciting Shane Flanagan to disclose personal data from the Garda PULSE Information system on the same 14 individuals on dates between January 12th to September 24th 2020. Those charges are also under the Data Protection Act.
Mr Meere is also facing a drug trafficking charge where on April 14th 2022, at Henry Garda Station, Limerick within a 161 D vehicle did possess a number of articles – a tick list, bag sealer, tin foil, scissors, baggies, mobile phone, purple folder, and a number of Dunnes Stores bags “in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that these articles were in your possession for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation, facilitation or instigation of a drug trafficking offence”.
The charge is under the Criminal justice Act 2007.
In court today, solicitor for Mr Meere, Daragh Hassett said that while his client may be a co-accused in theory, he would be looking for a separate trial for his client.
Judge Gabbett said that this application could be made when the cases come before the circuit court and Mr Hassett agreed.
Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Flanagan and Mr Meere on bail to Ennis District Court to September 25th for the serving of a Book of Evidence.
