Girl at centre of Garda chase in court

A YOUNG girl who was at the centre of a late-night, high-speed car chase through Limerick city centre that ended when she ploughed into a Garda patrol car was back in court yesterday facing more charges.

The girl, aged 12, had been sent to Oberstown House in Dublin for assessment. Limerick District Court was told yesterday that new charges have been brought against her, alleging she had a hammer in a city centre store on September 29 and with assaulting a security man, and a girl in the store.

John Devane, solicitor, applied for bail saying the girl would move to live with an aunt where the family dynamics were stable. Bail was refused and the girl was remanded to the same court next Tuesday. Earlier this year the girl was involved in a dramatic chase in the city centre.

Gardaí at Henry Street were about to respond to a report that a van was being driven in a dangerous manner when the vehicle sped past them outside Henry Street Garda Station.

They gave chase and put on the siren. The van sped through junctions and did not stop for red lights.

When the squad car drove up alongside the van in Garryowen, it hit into the gardaí causing significant damage to the squad car.

The girl, who was alone in the van, ran off and was apprehended after the gardaí saw her enter a local house.