Jumping on car's bonnet was 'desperate attempt' to evade attackers, Cork court told

The accused said: 'Four of them were running after me, I was trying to get away from them.'

The allegations were that on Monday afternoon the 28-year-old jumped on the bonnet of the car, punched it and frightened the woman driving it at Lower Oliver Plunkett Street. File picture: Larry Cummins

A 28-year-old man jumped on to the bonnet of a car in Cork City at around 6pm on Monday, June 16, and allegedly damaged it by pounding it with his fist, Cork District Court heard on Tuesday

However, the accused man claimed he was just trying to get away from attackers.

Darragh Behan, of An Caireal, Cúl Ard, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, was arrested by Garda Steven O’Sullivan and brought before Cork District Court on Tuesday where there was an objection to bail.

The allegations were that on Monday afternoon the 28-year-old jumped on the bonnet of the car, punched it and frightened the woman driving it at Lower Oliver Plunkett St.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the defendant was very badly assaulted and that by his own description, someone was dancing on his head, and that the jumping on to the car was done in a desperate attempt to get away from four men chasing him.

Judge Dorgan acknowledged that the defendant was visibly injured, having black eyes and other bruising and swelling to his face.

Darragh Behan said: “Four of them were running after me, I was trying to get away from them. My phone got robbed, and my tobacco – I know that doesn’t mean much.” 

Judge Dorgan granted him bail to appear again at Cork District Court on June 24.

He is charged with being drunk and a danger, being threatening and causing criminal damage at Lower Oliver Plunkett Street and assaulting Garda Cathal McCarthy at Bridewell garda station.