Down man pleads guilty to kidnap and hijacking garda car

A Co Down man has been remanded for sentencing in January after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to kidnapping, hijacking a Garda car and having a gun with intent to resist arrest.

32-year-old Gareth McKeown of Mount Pleasant Place, Newry, admitted attempting to rob Charles Monaghan at Dunleer and falsely imprisoning Seamus O'Neill at Dromin.

He also admitted unlawfully seizing and taking the Garda vehicle on the same date.

McKeown further pleaded guilty to endangering the life of Mr O'Neill and burglary of the premises of Patrick and Annie Marry at Greenlanes, Dromin.

Judge Elizabeth Dunne remanded him on continuing cash bail of £75,000 to January 21 next.

Prosecuting counsel Desmond Zaidan requested the preparation of five victim impact reports for the January hearing, at which evidence of the crimes will be heard.