A police officer from Garda, identified as Shane Flanagan, aged 39, from Lifford Road, Ennis, Co Clare, stands accused of unlawfully revealing confidential personal information relating to 14 individuals from the Garda Pulse system to an individual complicit in a drug-related crime. The hearing took place at the Ennis District Court.
The allegations outline a series of 14 occasions, spanning from January 12th to September 24th, 2020, during which, without the required authorisation, Mr. Flanagan, allegedly disclosed personal information to another individual, Colm Meere, 43 from Knockanean, Ennis. To safeguard their privacy, the identities of the 14 individuals were shared via their initials only: LL, FS, LMc, RN, SH, DC, WS, LG, GL, NC, KR, KD, DD, and IS.
Charged under the Data Protection Act, Mr. Flanagan did not respond following caution. His associate, Mr. Meere, also faces charges under the Data Protection Act for allegedly encouraging Mr. Flanagan to disclose personal data from the Garda Pulse system. Furthermore, Mr. Meere stands accused of a drug-trafficking charge as stipulated by the Criminal Justice Act, 2007.
Inspector David Finnerty informed the court there were no objections to granting bail to Mr. Meere under the condition that he refrains from contacting Mr. Flanagan. Sgt John Burke stated that as per the Director of Public Prosecutions’ directions, both cases would proceed on indictment and require the books of evidence.
Judge Alec Gabbett decided to grant bail to both accused individuals with the obligation to reappear at the Ennis District Court on September 4th.