Cork garda car ramming case adjourned until April 9

THE case relating to three garda cars being rammed at Thomas Davis Street in Cork on Sunday, March 3 was adjourned until April 9 with a 26-year-old man remanded in custody.

Stephen Coughlan of 67 Maulbaun, Passage West, Cork, faces multiple charges including counts alleging that on March 3 at Thomas Davis Street, Blackpool, he caused criminal damage to three garda cars and a parked car belonging to a motorist.

He was charged with stealing a Toyota Hilux at Kilnaglory, Ballincollig, on that date and causing criminal damage by fire to it at Upper Fairhill later on the same date.

Other charges relate to March 1, 2024 at The Raj Indian restaurant car park at Kerrypike, the most serious of which was one of endangerment by causing a substantial risk of death or serious injury to another person.

The charge states that he drove at and collided with a garda car as Garda Brian White was exiting the vehicle attempting to carry out his duty, causing him to take evasive action, and forcing the car sideways and driving over the front wing of it to escape.

He faces other related charges and theft of a car at Scartglen, Castleisland, County Kerry; burglary at Manning’s supermarket, Glanmire, Co Cork; stealing cars at Maryborough Hill, Douglas; Coolroe Meadows, Ballincollig; Laurel Hill, Monkstown; The Finisk, Rivervalley, Mallow; The Funschion, Rivervalley, Mallow; Monee, Mourneabbey, Mallow; Castlewood, Little Island; and stealing a trailer/horsebox at Park Farm, Passage West.

A second man — 32-year-old Brian Keane, of no fixed address — was also remanded in custody to April 9. He is accused of five burglaries at Aghadoe, Killarney, Co Kerry, on February 4.

He is also charged with driving a stolen car at Sluggers Cross, Whitechurch, on March 3, dangerous driving there and again at Rathpeacon.

Mr Keane is charged with driving a stolen car at Thomas Davis Street, having stolen property at that location including €1,900 worth of cigarettes and tobacco, on March 3 — the date on which Mr Coughlan faces the ramming charges.

Finally, he is charged with travelling as a passenger in a stolen car on March 1 at The Raj restaurant car park and allowing himself to be carried in a stolen car at Tower on March 1.

Directions in the multiple cases are awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.