Man who allegedly drove tractor through garda checkpoint at Cork fuel price protest charged

More than 100 people gathered at Midleton Courthouse, many saying that they were there to support Darra O’Shea

Supporters at Midleton Courthouse applauded as Darra O’Shea entered and left the courthouse. Picture: Larry Cummins

A man who was chased by gardaí after he allegedly drove his tractor and slurry tank through a garda checkpoint in last week’s fuel protest near Whitegate has been charged with five counts of dangerous driving.

Darra O’Shea, aged 27, was charged that he drove in a manner that was dangerous to the public, or was likely to be dangerous to the public, at five locations in East Cork on April 11, contrary to Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as substituted by Sec 4 of the Road Traffic (No. 2) Act 2011.