Garda saves lives of mother and baby during car chase

THE driver of a Garda patrol car put his life on the line yesterday to protect a mother and baby during a 40km high-speed chase through Co Cork in which dozens of motorists were forced off the road, Garda cars were rammed and speeds in excess of 160km/h were reached.

The drama unfolded shortly after 8.30am yesterday when gardaí picked up reports of a car driver, wearing a crash helmet, speeding on the wrong side of the main Buttevant-Mallow Road in Co Cork.

The driver, a man in his 30s from Kilmallock, Co Limerick, was on his way to a court appearance in Cork city.

At the height of the car chase, a young mother pushing a pram had a very narrow escape near Blarney when the car being pursued mounted a footpath and drove straight towards her.

A quick-acting garda drove into the path of the suspect car causing it to strike his vehicle and deflect away from the pedestrians.

Yesterday, senior gardaí praised their officers for averting carnage during the chase, which finished just yards from a national school.

When the alarm was raised by motorists who had encountered the speeding Opel Corsa on the Buttevant-Mallow Road, gardaí set up a roadblock in Mallow in an attempt to halt the vehicle.

At the checkpoint patrol cars were rammed by the driver who was wearing a crash helmet.

As gardaí pursued the Corsa towards Mourneabbey, it again crossed to the wrong side of the road, forcing more oncoming cars to take evasive action.

Shortly after 9am one of the patrol cars overtook the Corsa and kept in front of it with flashing lights and siren on to warn approaching cars.

The second patrol car drove behind the Corsa as they travelled at speeds in excess of 160km/h.

The Corsa then turned off the main road at Waterloo, at which stage patrol cars from Cork city Garda stations began to home in on it.

Roadblocks were set up as it sped towards Blarney.

At about 9.20am one of the patrol cars moved in to protect a number of pedestrians walking by the national school in Blarney.

Fearful that the driver of the Corsa would plough into them, the lead patrol car blocked its path. It was again rammed as was the second patrol car.

However, gardaí then forced the Corsa driver down a nearby cul-de-sac, where he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Superintendents Con Cadogan and Pat McCarthy praised all those involved in the Garda operation. Supt McCarthy said he was particularly proud of gardaí David White, John Parker, Karol Kelly and Deirdre O’Doherty who had pursued the Corsa driver all the way from Mallow.

“It was excellent work. They showed great composure and determination.

“They didn’t panic and ensured that lives were saved. I wouldn’t have expected any less of them, I know they are all very capable people,” Supt McCarthy said.

Several shocked motorists spoke of their horror when faced with the sight of a speeding Opel Corsa coming straight for them on the main Cork-Limerick Road, just south of Buttevant.

Gardaí repeatedly attempted to halt his passage. They then watched in amazement as the driver put on a motorcycle helmet before continuing on his erratic course.

It was unclear last night if he donned the helmet to protect himself in case of a crash, or to conceal his identity.

Although damaged, the two patrol cars with four gardaí in them continued the chase.

Mayor of County Cork Tom Sheahan yesterday praised the gardaí for their actions.

Mr Sheahan, who is from Buttevant, said: “It once again proves the important role the Garda Síochána play in protecting the public and their ability to manage very difficult situations.

“Those involved have earned our sincere gratitude.”

He said that in his official capacity as mayor of the county he would be writing to the all gardaí concerned to congratulate them.

Timeline: how the chase unfolded

* Shortly after 8.30am the Opel Corsa speeds through Buttevant travelling on the incorrect side of the road towards Mallow. Oncoming cars are forced off the road.

* Just before 9am, two Garda patrol cars arrive at the northern roundabout in Mallow to stop the Corsa. It rams them and drives off, attaining speeds of up to 100mph on its way towards Cork.

* Minutes later the Corsa crosses to the incorrect side of the road by the Mourneabbey junction. A Garda car pulls in front of it with flashing lights on to warn oncoming motorists of the danger.

* Around 9.10am the Corsa veers off the road at the Waterloo junction travelling towards Blarney.

The two patrol cars are still in hot pursuit.

Other patrol cars from the city join the operation.

* At 9.20am Garda cars cut off the Corsa near Blarney boys’ national school, averting a serious danger to a numerous pedestrians who were in the area at the time.

Seconds earlier they are rammed trying to protect a mother pushing a pram who is in the Corsa’s path.

The car is forced down a cul-de-sac and the driver is arrested.