Garda wanted €30,000 to stop prosecution, court hears

A Garda Superintendent demanded payment of €30,000 to stop the prosecution of a Co Mayo woman for alleged theft from his wife's shop in Castlebar, it was claimed at the High Court yesterday. Ms Margaret McGreal, wife of a local businessman, was working part-time in the children's clothing shop at the time.

The money was paid after Supt Patrick Doyle, then stationed in Westport, indicated failure to do so would result in the Supt "hanging" Ms McGreal in court, it was also alleged.

Supt Doyle, whose wife, Ms Bernie Doyle, owns the Bees Neez children's clothes shop at Castle Street, Castlebar, had sought the €30,000 during a conversation with Mr Daniel Coleman, solicitor for Ms McGreal, it was alleged.

However, despite the €30,000 being allegedly paid over and Ms Bernie Doyle signing a statement of retraction of her complaint, Ms McGreal claims she has since received summonses indicating she is being prosecuted for the theft of €582.90. She is denying the charge.

Yesterday, Ms McGreal, of Main Street, Balla, Castlebar, secured leave from the High Court to bring judicial review proceedings to seek orders restraining her prosecution later this year. She claims the process has been tainted by Supt Doyle's alleged conduct.

During the hearing before Mr Justice O'Neill, it was also claimed there were attempts in letters from Mr Thomas J Walsh, a solicitor, of Main Street, Castlebar, to conceal the alleged participation of Supt Doyle in the matter.

In affidavits, it was stated Ms McGreal was brought to Castlebar Garda Station in October 2002 on suspicion of having stolen goods/money from the Bees Neez shop, ordered to strip to her underwear and searched by a female Garda and that this was an attempt to "totally humiliate" her. It was also claimed she, and her elderly mother, later received anonymous and distressing material in the post which referred to her as a "thief".

Ms McGreal and her husband Michael also allege that the fact of her arrest was widely circulated in Castlebar and Co Mayo generally by gardai. While being detained in Castlebar station, she claims she was subject to abuse, foul language and ordered by a Detective Sergeant to "sign the fucking statement".

Mr McGreal said that, at no time prior to the demand for €30,000 being allegedly made by Supt Doyle, was a sum of money offered or suggested by either himself or Mr Coleman, their solicitor, on behalf of Ms McGreal.

Supt Doyle's conduct and participation in what essentially amounted to "demanding money with menaces" had fundamentally affected the integrity of the proceedings against Ms McGreal, he added.