Garda dragged along by drunk driver

A Garda who tried to stop a drunk driver was pulled a short distance along beside the car as the motorist took off through Carrigaline.

The driver was jailed for five months and banned from driving for four years yesterday.

James O’Brien, aged 39, of 10 Woodview, Kilmoney Rd, Carrigaline, Co Cork, admitted several motoring offences arising out of the incident, including careless driving, drink-driving, and having no insurance.

O’Brien had several previous convictions for drink driving and having no insurance for his car.

On the afternoon of his latest offence, O’Brien was seen driving out of SuperValu car park, Carrigaline, in what Garda Tom Delaney considered a disoriented manner, having a glazed look in his eyes.

“Garda Delaney asked him to turn off his engine but he took off and the car dragged Garda Delaney for about four feet but the guard managed to push himself off and get clear of the vehicle,” Inspector Michael McGuire told Cork District Court yesterday.

Garda Barry Lawton drove with Garda Delaney after O’Brien ignored the patrol car’s siren, blue lights, and flashing headlights and drove through red lights at a busy pedestrian crossing.

O’Brien was observed driving over the middle white line a number of times. On Lower Kilmoney Rd, he turned into the Woodview estate and pulled in outside his house. He was arrested at the scene on November 30, 2013.