Man at centre of Garda car chase jailed for contempt

A 30-YEAR-OLD man at the centre of a garda car chase in Ennis town centre on Wednesday afternoon was yesterday jailed for contempt of court for one week for harassing a Garda witness while giving evidence.

At Ennis District Court, Patrick Byrnes of Knockalough, Kilmihil, in west Clare, appeared in connection with four charges arising from a series of incidents in Knockalough in west Clare and Ennis.

Byrnes was arrested by gardaí in the Market area of Ennis at 4.30pm on Wednesday after the Kia Sorrento jeep he was driving crashed against a bollard in a pedestrianised area.

Earlier that day, Byrnes was charged with producing a large kitchen knife in the course of a dispute while taking a car at Lakeview House, Knockalough, Kilmihil. He is also charged with unlawfully using a car without the permission of its owner, Denis Considine, on the same date and with dangerous driving.

Byrnes was further charged with refusing to provide a specimen of blood or alcohol to a designated doctor at Ennis Garda Station following his arrest.

Garda Donal Corkery opposed bail on behalf of the state “due to the nature, degree and seriousness of the alleged offences”.

Gda Corkery said that it was likely that there would be more serious charges brought against Byrnes.

Garda Corkery said there is also CCTV footage of the incident where Byrnes was arrested.

Garda Corkery stated that Brynes had failed to turn up to court on three previous occasions and stated that one of the occasions was May 25, 2005.

However, Byrnes shouted from his seat in court that this was lies.

Judge Mangan said that he was finding Byrnes in contempt and gave him an opportunity to purge his contempt.

In response, Mr Byrnes said: “I apologise, but he is telling lies.”

Byrnes was granted legal aid and his solicitor, Billy Loughnane, said that he is the father of three children who are very dear to him. Mr Loughnane said that three of the alleged offences before the court are road traffic offences.

Mr Loughnane said that there is a presumption of innocence and that Byrnes is entitled to that.

Judge Mangan refused bail and remanded Byrnes in custody to re-appear before Ennis District Court next Friday. Judge Mangan also jailed Byrnes for one week for contempt for interrupting and harassing a witness, Garda Corkery, while giving evidence.

Judge Mangan told Byrnes that the next time he asked for bail, he would be advised to do so politely.