Cork garda was dragged 80 metres by stolen car before making arrests, court told

One of the three alleged car passengers is aged 14

The garda opened the driver’s door and tried to arrest the driver, but the car was allegedly driven a distance of 80 metres with the garda hanging on at the side of the car. File picture

A member of An Garda Síochána who tried to arrest a teenager driving a stolen car at Lissarda was dragged a distance of 80 metres as he hung to the side of the car which was driven dangerously, it was alleged on Wednesday.

Garda Brian O’Sullivan gave this evidence at Cork District Court in an objection to bail being granted to a 17-year-old charged with driving a stolen car, two counts of dangerous driving, causing criminal damage and related charges.

Judge Philip O’Leary acceded to the application by Sergeant Ian Cahalane to remand the accused in detention to the juvenile sitting of Cork District Court on Friday, July 10.

Garda O’Sullivan testified that the car was stolen in Ballincollig at 5pm on July 6 and it was spotted half an hour later. Gardaí attempted to stop the car but it was driven away at speed from the area.

At around 5pm on July 7 the stolen car was observed at the Circle K in Lissarda and Garda Richard Caverly opened the driver’s door and tried to arrest the driver. However, the car was allegedly driven a distance of 80 metres with the garda hanging on at the side of the car.

The driver and three passengers were arrested.

Fourteen-year-old defendant

Garda Niall McCarthy testified that the teenager he arrested and charged with being a passenger in the stolen car was in breach of bail conditions imposed during an earlier court appearance. He is 14 years old.

Judge Philip O’Leary said to this 14-year-old: “I am giving you bail. You breached bail a couple of times. You are only 14. You have no solicitor in court (because of the solicitors’ strike).” The judge asked the youth if he understood what would happen if he breached the bail given to him on Wednesday and the teenager replied, “Oberstown”.

Judge O’Leary said the last thing the court wanted to do was to send a 14-year-old to detention in Oberstown but he said that is precisely what would happen if he breached bail terms again.

“You have to stay out of trouble,” the judge told the teenager as he left court with his mother. He was remanded on bail until July 24 on conditions that included staying away from named parties and keeping a curfew to be home every night between 9pm and 8am.