Garda clung to open window of speeding car

A man who drove at speed while a garda was clinging onto the open window of his car has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on a charge of endangerment.

Judge Keenan Johnson, who suspended the final two years of the sentence, said it was fortunate that Garda John Walsh had not been killed or suffered life changing injuries.

Tommy Corcoran, aged 22, of Ard an Mara, Cartron Point, Co Sligo, had pleaded guilty to endangerment and to possession of cannabis for the purpose of supply on April 19, 2013.

Judge Johnson told Sligo Circuit Court that our society depends on gardaí to keep law and order. “Each of us as citizens owe a great debt to the gardaí for the way they discharge their duties and put their lives on the line each time they are called out to investigate a complaint,” he said.

Judge Johnson said the court had to send out a clear message that people who endanger gardaí “must suffer severe penalty”, not so much to punish the accused but to render support for gardaí.

At an earlier hearing, the court heard that Garda Walsh, who has since been promoted to sergeant, had felt his life was in danger and had pleaded with the driver to stop.

The incident happened when gardaí travelled in two patrol cars to Corcoran’s home with a search warrant, and saw him driving out of the driveway. After being told he was to be searched, Corcoran reversed at speed and Garda Walsh, who was flung onto the bonnet, grabbed the open driver’s window.

Judge Johnson said Garda Walsh, who was off work for two months after the incident, was still suffering pain and receiving physiotherapy.

The court heard that Corcoran had abandoned the car and was seen by gardaí throwing the contents of a bag into the sea at Cartron Bay. He later expressed remorse for having injured the garda.

In a victim impact statement, Sgt Walsh said he was reminded of the incident almost every day when he experienced pain. But he said he accepted that Corcoran had been in a dark place at the time, that he had now turned a corner and his priority was his partner and two young children.