A Limerick criminal who claims he is addicted to fast cars, sped through heavy city centre traffic in a stolen BMW pursued by armed gardaí, crashing into two patrol cars and a bus before knocking down a garda, a court heard.

A Limerick criminal who knocked down a garda and rammed a bus and two garda patrol cars, whilst driving a high-powered stolen BMW, told gardaí after his arrest: "I'm addicted to fast cars".

Five males, including three teenagers, yesterday appeared in court on multiple charges relating to a crime rampage during which, it was alleged, several high-powered cars had been stolen.