Garda in Cork ‘dragged for 80m by stolen car’, court told

A member of An Garda Síochána who tried to arrest a teenager driving a stolen car at Lissarda was dragged a distance of 80m, as he hung to the side of the car which was driven dangerously, it was alleged yesterday.

Garda Brian O’Sullivan gave this evidence at Cork District Court in an objection to bail being granted to a 17-year-old charged with driving a stolen car, two counts of dangerous driving, causing criminal damage, and related charges.

Judge Philip O’Leary acceded to the application by Sergeant Ian Cahalane to remand the accused in detention until the juvenile sitting of Cork District Court tomorrow.

Garda O’Sullivan testified that the car was stolen in Ballincollig at 5pm on July 6, and that it was spotted half an hour later.

Gardaí attempted to stop the car, but it was driven away at speed from the area.

At around 5pm on July 7 the stolen car was observed at the Circle K in Lissarda and Garda Richard Caverly opened the driver’s door and tried to arrest the driver.

However, the car was allegedly driven a distance of 80m, with the garda hanging on at the side of the car.

The driver and three passengers were arrested.

Garda Niall McCarthy testified that the teenager he arrested and charged with being a passenger in the stolen car was in breach of bail conditions imposed during an earlier court appearance. He is 14 years old.

Judge Philip O’Leary said to this 14-year-old: “I am giving you bail. You breached bail a couple of times. You are only 14. You have no solicitor in court [because of the solicitors’ strike].”

The judge asked the youth if he understood what would happen if he breached the bail given to him and the teenager replied: “Oberstown”.

Judge O’Leary said the last thing the court wanted to do was to send a 14-year-old to detention in Oberstown, but he said that is precisely what would happen if he breached bail terms again.

“You have to stay out of trouble,” the judge told the teenager as he left court with his mother. He was remanded on bail until July 24 on conditions.