Cork driver tried to end life with ‘dangerous driving’ at rush hour

A suicidal driver tried to end his life on a mad escapade of dangerous driving in rush-hour traffic where he rammed a Garda car and another car, and later fled from arresting gardaí with his hands cuffed behind his back and jumped in the river.

Garda Daniel Cowman confirmed under cross-examination by Marjorie Farrelly, defending, that the man had shown no regard for his own life on the day. He had consumed a litre of Southern Comfort liqueur before the series of events.

Shane Dineen, aged 21, of St Vincent’s hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, was sentenced to a total of six years, with the last 18 months suspended, and banned from driving for 20 years by Judge Donagh McDonagh at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.