Man drove jeep into fire and assaulted three gardaí

A man who drove a car onto a bonfire at Halloween while drunk, then assaulted three gardaí, has been given a chance to overcome his drug addiction by a judge.

Darren McKevitt, aged 26, of St Peter’s Rd, Walkinstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to arson of a car, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without insurance, and three counts of assault at Durrow Road, Crumlin on October 31, 2014.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen Toyota Avensis, a stolen PSV certificate, Irish driving license, and insurance certificate, and unlawful possession of a stun gun all at Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, on November 24, 2014.

Judge Patricia Ryan applied a probation bond on McKevitt, saying he had to continue working with probation officers and undergo drug rehabilitation and employment training. She ordered him to return before the court on July 1, 2016.

The court heard McKevitt has nine previous convictions, including one for possession of drugs for sale or supply.

Garda Michael Creegan told Monica Leech BL, prosecuting, that his colleague Garda Micheal O’Sullivan arrived at a bonfire scene and saw a jeep doing handbrake turns around it.

Then “to his horror” he saw the jeep drive onto the fire and McKevitt jumping out and running away.

Gda O’Sullivan chased McKevitt with the help of Reserve Garda Sean White. McKevitt swung a punch at Gda White, causing him to fall over and fracture his ankle. McKevitt ran past and said “take that, pig”, said Gda Creegan.

McKevitt also assaulted Gda O’Sullivan and Gda Donal Faye before being arrested and taken to Crumlin Garda Station.