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Jail for garda who used Kentstown bus tragedy to take cash for bogus brake tests

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Jail for garda who used Kentstown bus tragedy to take cash for bogus brake tests

A corrupt garda who used a bus crash which killed five schoolkids to demand money for bogus brake tests has been jailed in what a judge called a total abuse of his power.

Joseph Doyle, 38, who was Acting Public Service Vehicle inspector for Co Meath, also told victims the cash would go towards sending a non-existent sick child to the US for treatment.




Father-of-three Doyle pleaded guilty to 29 sample charges of deception and corruption when he induced victims to pay sums ranging from €20 to €250 for fictitious brake tests, fictitious charities and Article 60 licences during his role from 2018 to 2020 through which he received at least €3,585.

Doyle, of The Hawthorns in Kilcock, Co Kildare, had initially faced trial last month on 89 offences of deception, corruption and money laundering.

However, he dramatically changed his plea to guilty on Day 3 of his trial at Trim Circuit Court last month to 29 sample charges of deception and corruption.

The charges of deception relate to deceiving PSV drivers that they had to pay for bogus brake tests in order for them to get their PSV licences and deceiving PSV licence holders they needed to pay €60 for Article 60 licences to allow them to transport school children. Article 60 licences are free.

Father-of-three Doyle, who was suspended from the force on basic pay since his arrest in April 2021, is now due to resign, the court heard.

However, Judge John Martin ordered the forfeiture of Doyle’s job as a Garda under Section 17 (4) of the Corruption Offences Act.

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