Children inches from death during car chase

Several children were inches from death as a motorist led gardaí on a high-speed pursuit through Cork City yesterday.

However, the driver was later released without charge and a file has been sent to the DPP.

The schoolchildren were walking near the Cope complex in Montenotte at 12.10pm when a red Renault Laguna, which was being driven erratically and at speed, swerved and almost ploughed into their group.

Gardaí, who were responding to several calls about dangerous driving in the Mayfield area, intercepted the suspect vehicle within seconds.

However, the driver failed to stop and accelerated towards Blackpool.

Motorists reported seeing the suspect car drive at speed north along the Mallow road before doubling back the wrong way on the dual carriageway.

The motorist did a U-turn and drove north again before doubling back for a second time, driving back towards the city on the wrong side of the road again.

Up to five Garda cars were in close pursuit but officers decided to pull back in the interests of public safety and they followed the car from a safe distance.

Other Garda cars drove ahead of the suspect vehicle warning motorists.

The pursuing units had alerted several other Garda units, including members of the armed Regional Support Unit, and kept them informed of the vehicle’s direction.

The motorist continued driving at speed right into the city centre where he encountered traffic on the Grand Parade and was forced to stop at 12.40pm.

Lunchtime shoppers watched as more than a dozen gardaí, including detectives and members of the RSU, swarmed around the vehicle and smashed windows to get the driver out.

A 24-year-old man, with an address in Cork City, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken to the Bridewell station for questioning.

One garda suffered minor hand injuries during the arrest. Gardaí seized the car, which will undergo a full forensic examination.

However, it is understood the vehicle was not stolen.