Cork motorist allegedly drove a distance with garda on bonnet of her car, court hears

A member of An Garda Síochána was put at risk of death or serious harm when a motorist drove a distance with the officer on the bonnet of her car, it was alleged in a charge brought against a 41-year-old woman.

Sergeant Dave Delea said today at Cork District Court that the DPP had decided that the principal charge against Áine O’Connor was too serious to be dealt with at district court level.

The Director of Public Prosecutions said this charge could be dealt with by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court or by way of a signed guilty plea which could be entered at the district court for sentencing at the circuit court.

The indictable charge against Ms O’Connor is brought under Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

It states that, “On October 26 2023 at Cloghroe, Blarney, County Cork, that she intentionally or recklessly engaged in conduct, namely driving a Red Renault Megane at Garda Karol Mellamphy and knocking him on to the bonnet of the car and continuing to drive for a distance carrying him on the bonnet before stopping, which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.” 

Detective Garda Maurice Leahy charged Áine O’Connor of 76 Riverview Estate, Tower, County Cork, with that offence.

The defendant also faces two summary charges that will remain at the district court. 

On the same date and place she allegedly drove a car while under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the car.

And in a second charge it was alleged that having been required by Garda Paul Dunphy to provide two specimens of breath into an apparatus to determine the concentration of alcohol, she failed to comply immediately with the requirement.

Joseph Cuddigan solicitor said that he would need some time for the defence to decide if a plea of guilty or not guilty would be entered to the indictable charge. 

Judge Treasa Kelly adjourned the matter to November 6 for that purpose.