Garda demanded €30,000 to stop case, court told

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

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

Supt Doyle, whose wife, Ms Bernie Doyle, owns the Beez 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 Beez Neez shop, ordered to strip to her underwear and searched by a female Garda, and that this was an attempt to "totally humiliate" her.

While being detained in the station, she claims she was subject to abuse, foul language and ordered by a detective sergeant to "sign the f.....g statement".

Mr Michael McGreal, Ms McGreal's husband, 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 himself or their solicitor.