Bail for teenager charged with dangerous driving after Cork incident

An 18-year-old charged with five counts of dangerous driving following an incident in Togher has been granted bail.

Jayden Brierly, with an address at 53 St John’s Well, Fair Hill, Cork City, first came to the attention of gardaí patrolling on the Carrigrohane Rd when they noticed a car driving at high speeds at 2.15am yesterday morning.

The vehicle was seen to break red lights, and drive dangerously through junctions on Victoria Rd while almost losing control of the vehicle on the Thomas Davis Bridge.

Gardaí observed the vehicle frequently driving on the wrong side of the road and taking bends sharply in wet conditions.

Appearing in front of Cork District Court, James O’Mahony, the presenting garda attached to Togher Garda Station, said the vehicle was “driving at speed with no regard for road users”.

The vehicle then headed towards Dripsey village, where the car lost control, and three males exited the vehicle. There were two underage males alongside Mr Brierly.

In court, Mr Brierly contended that he was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Mr Brierly subsequently failed a drug swab and blood samples upon his arrest. He has been remanded in Anglesea Street Garda Station since the incident.

Judge Brendan O’Reilly granted Mr Brierly bail on the condition of a €300 own bond, and €100 cash lodgement. An independent surety of €1,000, and a €300 cash lodgement must also be provided to the court by tomorrow.

He was remanded to appear in court again tomorrow.

Mr Brierly was asked to make himself readily available for gardaí, and to serve a curfew from 9pm to 6am.

Mr Brierly self-represented in court. He told the court he had tried to get in contact with Cork solicitor Frank Buttimer. Attempts to reach Mr Buttimer’s office for legal representation failed due to ongoing industrial action by solicitors protesting reforms to the legal aid system.

Gardaí sought to deny the bail application, contending that Mr Brierly would commit further crimes if released on bail.

While reading out the gardaí’s concern about the possibility of Mr Brierly committing further crimes, he told the court: “No, I won’t judge, no.” He declined to ask gardaí questions in post examination and declined to give the court further evidence.

The court heard that Mr Brierly occasionally undertakes plastering work with his uncle, and intends to apply for jobseeker’s allowance.

He is currently living at home. Asked by the judge if his parents knew he was in court, Mr Brierly replied: “Don’t think so.”