Cork man, 18, charged over dangerous driving in city

Gardaí observed man driving at high speeds, breaking red lights, and driving dangerously through junctions

Garda James O’Mahony told Cork District Court that the vehicle was 'driving at speed with no regard for road users'. File picture: Larry Cummins

An 18-year-old Cork man charged with five counts of dangerous driving in Togher has been granted bail.

Gardaí observed Jayden Brierly, of 53 St John’s Well, Fair Hill, Cork City, driving at high speeds on the Carrigrohane Road at 2.15am on Wednesday.

The vehicle was seen breaking red lights and driving dangerously through junctions on Victoria Road while almost losing control of the vehicle on the Thomas Davis bridge.

The vehicle was seen frequently driving on the wrong side of the road and taking sharp bends in wet road conditions. 

Garda James O’Mahony told Cork District Court that the vehicle was “driving at speed with no regard for road users".

The vehicle then headed towards the village of Dripsey, where it lost control. Two underage males, alongside Mr Brierly, were seen exiting the vehicle, the court heard. 

In court wearing a North Face tracksuit jacket and grey Under Armour tracksuit bottoms, Brierly said he was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Brierly subsequently failed a drug swabs and blood samples upon his arrest. He has been remanded in Anglesea Street Garda Station since the incident.

Judge Brendan O’Reilly granted Brierly bail on the condition of €300 on his own bond and €100 cash lodgement. An independent surety of €1,000, and a €300 cash lodgement must also be provided to the court by Friday.

He has been remanded to appear in court again on Friday.

Brierly was asked to make himself readily available for gardaí and serve a curfew from 9pm to 6am.

Brierley self-represented in court. He told the court he had tried to get in contact with solicitor Frank Buttimer but that attempts to reach his office failed due to ongoing industrial action between solicitors protesting reforms to the legal aid system.

Brierly informed the court he wished to apply for bail on his own accord. 

Asked by Judge O’Reilly if he wished to wait for a solicitor to explain the processes of a bail application, Brierly replied: “What does that mean?” 

He was given 15 minutes to read his bail pack. 

In addition to charges for dangerous driving, he was also charged with driving with no insurance and no licence.

Gardaí sought to deny the bail application, contending Brierly would commit further crimes if released on bail.

Brierly replied: “No, I won’t, judge, no.” 

He declined to ask gardaí questions in post-examination and to give the court further evidence.

The court heard that Brierly, who is currently living at home, occasionally undertakes plastering work with his uncle, and intends to apply for social welfare.

Asked by the judge if his parents knew he was in court, Brierly replied: “Don’t think so.”