Man admits assault and taking partner’s car

A MAN has confessed to all charges against him arising out of assault on his girlfriend, “hijacking” her Audi A3 in Cork, and driving it dangerously to Mallow where it was only brought to a stop when a stinger device, deployed by gardaí, disabled the car.

Darragh Gill, aged 27, of Farnastack, Lisselton, Co Kerry, was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to a total of 10 charges against him.

Mahon Corkery, defending, said the accused wishes to gather compensation. Judge Cormac Quinn adjourned sentencing until November 8.

Gill admitted assault causing harm to the woman and taking her car without permission as well as dangerous driving and failing to remain at the scene of an incident.

Bail

Gill was granted bail on conditions at the original hearing but Det Garda Alan Johnson objected, testifying at the time: “On December 6, 2023, gardaí responded to a call where it was reported that a woman had her white Audi A3 hijacked by a man outside O’Herlihy’s Centra on Curraheen Rd, Cork, shortly before 7pm. The man had left the scene in the vehicle and all units were notified. The young woman had a large bump to her forehead and an ambulance was called. She was not required to attend hospital for treatment.

“She told gardaí that while driving, Darragh Gill was in the vehicle with her and was intoxicated. She alleged he became aggressive with her and that she drove to the Centra where she parked outside for safety. 

"She alleged that he punched her in the head and grabbed her hair while in the car. A shopkeeper stated that he observed a man punching a woman in the white Audi outside the shop and he therefore proceeded to help her out of the vehicle and take her inside the shop to safety.

“It is alleged he drove off in the car without her consent and hit another parked car while doing so and failed to remain at the scene. He caused damage to the car. It was all captured on CCTV. The stolen vehicle was stopped following a pursuit in Mallow later in the night following the deployment of a stinger device. He fled the scene and was apprehended a short time later at Mallow train station.”

Gill, who worked in Sweden, said during his application for bail: “It is a major wake-up call.”