Man jailed for ramming Garda cars after chase
Ian Bisette was eventually subdued after a uniformed garda dramatically managed to grab the ignition key from his car.
Bisette, aged 27 of York House, Longford Street Little, Dublin, was on the run and warrants were out for his arrest. At Limerick Circuit Court yesterday, Bisette pleaded guilty to charges of reckless endangerment of gardaí and to causing criminal damage to two patrol cars
Insp Declan O’Sullivan said Garda James Hourihane was driving an unmarked patrol car in Limerick on the afternoon of Oct 11, 2011, when he decided to follow a Peugeot driven by a man who was covering his face. There were two women and another male in the car.
As he pursued the car, Garda Hourihane activated the patrol car’s blue light and siren.
Bisette took off at high speed through suburbs of Limerick, overtaking cars on bends before entering a cul-de-sac.
When trapped in a cul-de-sac, Garda Hourihane got out and approached. As he did so, Bisette reversed, rammed the patrol car and sped off.
Garda Hourihane resumed his pursuit and called for assistance. Drugs squad members, Det Garda David Baynham, Det Garda Damien Kennedy, Insp Sgt Alan Cullen and Det Garda David McGrath, who were in the area, joined the high-speed chase through the busy Dooraodyle streets.
Bisette, who did not know the area, entered another cul-de-sac. In trying to drive away, he rammed Garda Hourihane’s car up to 10 times and the patrol car in turn cannoned off the drugs squad Garda car which had pulled up behind.
The drugs squad detectives fired four shots to try and stop Bisette’s car during the continued rammings. Garda Hourihane was trapped in his patrol car as it was rammed four times before eventually managing to get out.
On getting free, Garda Hourihane ran to the side of Bisette’s car and grabbed the ignition key through the open driver’s window.
Bisette was overpowered and arrested.
During interviews with gardaí, Bisette said he wished they had shot him and ended his life.
Passing sentence, Judge Carroll Moran said it was an appalling crime driving through residential areas in the middle of the afternoon in such a manner when children and parents were around.
The gardaí, he said, were put in fear of their lives.
He imposed a six-year sentence, with the final two suspended. The sentence is to commence at the conclusion of a sentence Bisette is currently serving. He also disqualified Bisette from driving for 12 years.
Judge Moran specially commended Garda Hourihane and the drug squad members.
