Corkman accused of ramming three garda cars and numerous other charges signs guilty pleas
The most serious charge states that Stephen Coughlan drove at and collided with a garda car as Garda Brian White was exiting the vehicle. File picture
Signed pleas of guilty were entered by a 26-year-old man on multiple charges arising out of an investigation into three garda cars being rammed at Thomas Davis Street in a Sunday afternoon incident in Cork earlier this year.
The guilty pleas to multiple charges were signed by Stephen Coughlan of 67 Maulbaun, Passage West, Cork.
On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher at Cork District Court, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case against Stephen Coughlan forward for sentencing at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on October 29.
A long list of charges was brought against Mr Coughlan, who was represented by Eddie Burke solicitor, and now Detective Garda Michelle O’Leary has brought an additional charge against him of arson of a car. The defendant pleaded guilty to this and all the other indictable charges against him.
The principle charges refer to March 3 at Thomas Davis Street, Blackpool, where he caused criminal damage to three garda cars and a parked car belonging to a motorist.
He was charged with stealing a Toyota Hilux at Kilnaglory, Ballincollig, on that date and causing criminal damage by fire to it at Upper Fairhill later on the same date.
Other charges relate to March 1, 2024, at The Raj Indian restaurant car park at Kerrypike, the most serious of which was one of endangerment by causing a substantial risk of death or serious injury to another person. The charge states that he drove at and collided with a garda car as Garda Brian White was exiting the vehicle attempting to carry out his duty, causing him to take evasive action, and forcing the car sideways and driving over the front wing of it to escape.
He faces a related charge of causing criminal damage to the front bumper, bonnet and wing panels of a garda car — a 2018-registered Hyundai i40. He is charged with damaging the stolen car — Toyota Landcruiser — at The Raj Indian on March 1, dangerous driving there and having no insurance or licence.
He faces multiple other charges from alleged incidents in the past month, including theft of a car at Scartglen, Castleisland, County Kerry, burglary at Manning’s supermarket, Glanmire, County Cork, stealing cars at Maryborough Hill, Douglas, Coolroe Meadows, Ballincollig, Laurel Hill, Monkstown, The Finisk, Rivervalley, Mallow, The Funschion, Rivervalley, Mallow, Monee, Mourneabbey, Mallow, Castlewood, Little Island, and stealing a trailer/horsebox at Park Farm, Passage West.
Detective Sergeant Kieran O’Sullivan also charged a co-accused, 33-year-old Brian Keane, of no fixed address with five burglaries at Aghadoe, Killarney, County Kerry, on February 4.
Brian Keane was also charged with driving a stolen car at Sluggera Cross, Whitechurch, on March 3 and driving a stolen car at Thomas Davis Street, having stolen property at that location including €1,900 worth of cigarettes and tobacco, on March 3.
Finally, he was charged with travelling as a passenger in a stolen car on March 1 at The Raj restaurant car park and allowing himself to be carried in a stolen car at Tower on March 1.
Mr Burke, solicitor, also represented Mr Keane and said the defence would consider what position Brian Keane would be taking to his charges. Judge Dorgan adjourned his case until July 23.
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