Posted by Updated / Friday, 6 Feb 2026 19:07
The jury is deliberating in the trial of a Limerick engineer accused of corruption by taking money from a detective garda for information on his car dealership being raided.
Stephen O’Sullivan, aged 43, is accused of giving or agreeing to give to Detective Garda David Bourke a monetary gain as an inducement to reveal confidential information concerning an investigation being carried out by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in relation to Stephen O’Sullivan, trading as Stephen Bawn Motors.
Mr O’Sullivan, of Farrehy, Broadford, Co Limerick, is a director of the business.
He has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the single count of corruption at Bruree, Co Limerick on 22 December 2018.
The trial is now in its final stages with both prosecution and defence having made closing speeches.
The court has heard an audio recording from David Bourke’s Berlingo van of Stephen O’Sullivan giving €20,000 to the detective garda.
Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty said today that in late 2018 and early 2019 he held the rank of inspector and was a senior officer overseeing criminal investigations.
He gave evidence that on 17 January 2019, warrants were sought from Vodafone and Three for phone records relating to Mr O’Sullivan and Detective Garda David Bourke for the seven-week period between 1 December 2018 and 31 January 2019.
CCTV footage was also harvested and the jury has seen a piece of that footage of a Berlingo van on 22 December 2018. The court was also told Detective Garda David Bourke was seen purchasing a small cash safe in Argos.
Chief Supt McNulty told Eoin Lawlor SC prosecuting that addresses of Detective Garda Bourke and Mr O’ Sullivan were searched including Bawn Motors car dealership.
Detective Garda Bourke’s locker at Henry Street Garda Station was also searched. A small cash safe was found during the search of Detective Garda Bourke’s home. Detective Garda Bourke was arrested and prosecuted for corruption, the court was told.
Chief Supt McNulty said the financial accounts of Detective Garda Bourke and Mr O’ Sullivan were examined and there was no evidence of €20,000 being withdrawn.
Under cross-examination Mark Lynam SC defending put it to the witness that Mr O’Sullivan did not provide gardaí with the pin number for his phone but there was nothing of evidential value on it.
Chief Supt McNulty also agreed Mr O’Sullivan had “a very serious car accident” and was bedbound for six to eight months. He further agreed he was still on crutches when he came for interview.
Mr O’Sullivan was previously an engineer and has now returned to that profession. He was never arrested before having only committed minor road traffic offences, the witness agreed.
He also agreed Mr O’Sullivan complied with all bail conditions and was signing on twice a week.
The jury has gone home having considered its verdict for one hour and 18 minutes and will resume its deliberations on Monday.
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