Man jumped out Limerick Garda station window in a ‘panic’

A man jumped out the window of Mayorstone Garda Station in Limerick while he was talking with his solicitor in an interview room, a court heard.

Gerard McCarthy, aged 23, of Sexton St North, Thomondgate, Limerick, admitted at Limerick Circuit Court to escaping from lawful custody and causing criminal damage to the garda station.

He was having a private consultation with his solicitor John Devane when “he opted for a panic action while under the influence of drugs”, to leap out the window he had forced open in the room.

Garda Chris Brennan told the court that McCarthy had been arrested shortly after noon on September 13, 2014, but was deemed medically unfit for interview while he was in Garda custody due to his intoxication.

Some seven hours later, McCarthy met with his solicitor, Mr Devane, while still in Garda custody.

While Mr Devane was in a private consultation, McCarthy forced open the window of the interview room and fled.

Gardaí on duty saw the top of McCarthy’s head as he bolted from the building after Mr Devane phoned and alerted the officers from inside the interview room.

The court heard that the fugitive was seen the next day cycling in the vicinity of a nearby petrol station.

When gardaí went to his house, he fled through the backdoor and gardaí gave chase.

McCarthy was found a short distance away hiding under a bush in a nearby house.

Jack Nicholas, defending, said McCarthy apologised for his actions and that “had to get away” in what was a “panic action while under the influence of drugs”.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said that he would adjourn the matter to tomorrow for sentence.