Five months' jail for Cork woman who drove with garda on bonnet of car
Garda Mellamphy was on his way home from work dressed half in uniform when there was a motor collision and he followed the car which struck his vehicle.
A five-month sentence was imposed on a young woman for drink driving in a case where a garda had to hold onto the bonnet of her car when she drove away from the scene of a crime.
Áine O’Connor is already serving a much longer jail term for endangerment of the guard’s life.
The five months just imposed at Cork District Court by Judge John King for the drink driving will run concurrently with the longer sentence.
Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a sentence of three years with the last year suspended in the case against Áine O’Connor of 76 Riverview Estate, Tower, County Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, recently, arising out of an incident on October 26 2023 at Cloghroe, Blarney, County Cork.
She was sentenced for intentionally or recklessly engaging 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.
Garda Eric Stafford said Garda Mellamphy was on his way home from work dressed half in uniform when there was a motor collision and he followed the car which struck his vehicle.
“Áine O’Connor got into the driver’s seat and attempted to flee. Garda Mellamphy stood in front of the Megane and directed her not to drive the car.
"The driver brought the vehicle to a stop,” Garda Stafford said.
Defence senior counsel Marjorie Farrelly said: “She was in an alcoholic state. She has written a letter of apology to the injured party. The accused has a chaotic lifestyle. She did not have a first conviction until 40 years of age. On the night in question, to put if very mildly, she very unwisely after drink, was driving (one of the two young men) home.”
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