Three-time All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler Pat Ryan has appealed a jail sentence imposed on him after he pleaded guilty to committing perjury during proceedings related to a speeding charge.
Judge Patricia Harney said in Limerick District Court that Ryan (27), with an address in Doon, had told a “brazen lie” when he previously gave evidence before the court on October 21st, 2020.
He said he had not received a fixed charge penalty notice after a garda had allegedly detected him exceeding the speed limit in 2018.
Garda Darren John Swan told Tuesday’s hearing that he arrested Ryan at Mayorstone Garda station. He said the hurler did not reply when he later charged him.
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He said Ryan had appeared before the court on October 21st, 2020, accused of speeding, and given “sworn evidence” that he had not received notification of the alleged speeding offence.
Garda Swan said it was later “discovered” that Mr Ryan had “forwarded” an image of the speeding notice from his mobile phone to a “third party” who was not identified in court.
“This contradicted Mr Ryan’s sworn evidence,” said Garda Swan.
He said Ryan was arrested on March 10th, 2021, on suspicion of committing perjury during the 2020 court hearing. He told Judge Harney the Director of Public prosecutions “recommended it be dealt with by summary disposal” before the District Court.
Garda Swan said Ryan had one previous conviction, on June 27th, 2022, for “holding a mobile phone whilst driving”.
Judge Harney told Ryan’s solicitor Con Barry: “This is pretty serious stuff, he’s not getting away with it.”
Mr Barry said Mr Ryan had “put his hands up” and had “fully cooperated” with gardaí, to which Judge Harney replied: “It’s the least he could do”.
Mr Barry appealed again for leniency, to which the judge replied: “Talk to me about truth, about veracity... this goes to the core of the entire administration of justice.
“He told a brazen lie in the face of this court. The whole criminal justice system is based on truth given to the courts - your client is facing very very serious trouble.”
Gardaí told Judge Harney that the maximum sentence she could impose was six months in prison and or a fine of up to €5,000.
The judge imposed a two-week jail sentence on Ryan. Mr Barry immediately appealed the sentence and Judge Harney remanded Ryan on bail. No date was given for the hearing of his appeal.