Pensioner lost leg in hit and run

A man has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm to two pensioners, one of whom lost his leg, following a hit and run incident outside a pitch and putt course in Co Clare.

Michael Sheehan, aged 26, of of Cliona Park, Moyross, Limerick appeared before Limerick District Court yesterday on 11 new charges arising out of the alleged incident in Parteen village on September 25, 2014.

Mr Sheehan was previously charged with two counts of burglary at Aherina, Kilmore, Co Clare, and Doonas, Co Clare, on the same date.

Limerick District Court heard yesterday how the 26-year-old replied “I’m sorry, that was an accident”, when he was formally charged with dangerous driving causing seriously bodily harm to Eric Ryan, aged 79, and Liam Barry, aged 77, at Parteen village on September 25, 2014.

Detective Garda Ronan O’Reilly said Mr Sheehan made no reply to the other 10 charges, which include, six counts of dangerous driving at locations between Clonlara and Parteen village on the same date.

He has also been charged with failing to give appropriate information, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and failing to report an accident at Parteen village, Co Clare.

He is further charged with failing to provide a blood or urine sample to gardaí at Mayorstone Garda Station, all on the same date.

Mr Sheehan’s solicitor John Devane told the court his client was “extremely frustrated at the slow pace of the case”, as he has been in custody for more than three and a half months.

He said his client is anxious to get the book of evidence quickly, as all of the new charges arise out of the same alleged series of events.

Mr Devane said that, having looked at the new charges and the Garda objections to bail, it was pointless to seek bail at this point in time.

Judge Marian O’Leary granted the 26-year-old additional free legal aid on the indictable matters.

Mr Sheehan was remanded in custody for a week when he will appear before the same court again via video link.