Cork woman refused bail after escape from Garda car roared: 'I hope your children end up like me'

Woman was arrested under bench warrant because she failed to appear in court on shoplifting charges

Woman said she suffered from anxiety and when she was put in the patrol car she had a panic attack. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A woman escaped from a Garda car when the officers had to deal with an unrelated violent situation nearby, and she fled from the scene.

On Tuesday, at Cork District Court, Olivia Costin, of Cork Simon Community, roared as she was refused bail and taken into custody until May 26, stating she was suicidal and shouted: “I hope your children end up like me.” 

Garda Ken O’Brien testified a warrant was executed for the arrest of 20-year-old Olivia Costin on Monday evening, May 18.

“When we were dealing with the other incident, she got out of the patrol car and made good her escape.

“When we returned to Cork Simon Community at Anderson’s Quay this morning to arrest her, she was aggressive and abusive.

“And she is a self-confessed crack cocaine and heroin addict,” Garda O’Brien said.

In those circumstances the garda objected to bail being granted to the accused. Defence solicitor Killian McCarthy said the addiction may have related to an earlier time because she is now on a methadone treatment programme and attending Arbour House.

The young woman said she suffered from anxiety and when she was put in the patrol car she had a panic attack.

Garda O’Brien responded to the claim by saying: “I don’t think she had much of a panic attack as she was able to run over the bridge and up to the northside.” 

Judge John King refused bail and remanded her in custody for a week. The bench warrant on which she was arrested was issued because of her failure to appear in court on shoplifting charges.