Bail refused for teenager accused of driving wrong way on carriageway near Douglas

A Cork teenager drove a stolen BMW X5 at high speed in the wrong direction for 600 metres on the N40 at Douglas in the early hours of the morning last month, it has been alleged.

Garda Niall McCarthy, at a special in camera sitting of Cork District Court today, also said that when the teenager was arrested late last night he jumped a garden fence and climbed onto a roof to avoid arrest.

Inspector Fergal Long told the court there was an objection to bail: “There is a complete disregard for members of the public. His offending is escalating. There are no bail conditions that would satisfy members of An Garda Síochána.”  

In court, the juvenile said: “I am going to be good.” 

Garda Niall McCarthy testified that at 4.35am on August 20, a BMW X5 which was stolen at Ardfoyle Crescent in Ballintemple, was observed by Garda Shane McCarthy at Ringmahon Road in Mahon. Garda McCarthy was in a patrol car and managed to use the vehicle to obstruct the driving of the stolen car.

“This forced the car to stop and Garda Shane McCarthy could see that the driver was the 17-year-old. The teenager performed a U-turn and drove off at a speed of 110km per hour. At junction 8 in Douglas he drove east down the carriageway of the N40 in the incorrect direction for a distance of 600 metres before leaving at junction 7,” 

Garda McCarthy said.

Garda Niall McCarthy said the teenager drove against oncoming traffic during this driving escapade, putting himself and other road users at risk.

When he was being arrested at around 11pm on September 2, he ran out the back door of his home, jumped over a fence and climbed on to the roof of a neighbouring property, the witness alleged.

He was in Cork District Court on a total of 10 charges, including driving this stolen car and four counts of dangerous driving. He was charged with another count of stealing a €35,000 Range Rover at Barrington’s Avenue in Ballintemple, on August 7.

Bail ruling

Garda McCarthy said: “Gardaí believe that if released, he will likely commit offences and put himself and other road users at risk.” 

Solicitor Stephen Cotter advised the teenager about his bail application but could not represent him because of the dispute in relation to free legal aid. 

The teenager said: 

“I want to make a submission. The guards are saying it is me, I am saying it is not. They are not 100% it is me. I am going to be good. I am doing (sports) training. I can promise I will be good, like. I will stay at home, I will sign on every day, I will stay out of certain places.” 

Judge Liz Healy refused bail and remanded him in detention to Oberstown until September 4. The judge explained to the teenager: “The guards are saying it is important to refuse bail to avoid you committing further serious offences. The guards are concerned about yourself and other road users’ lives being at risk.” 

The teenager spoke up to say: “There is a presumption in favour of bail.” 

Judge Healy said: “I am refusing bail… I believe there is a real risk of further serious crimes being committed. I don’t take this decision lightly.”