Published: Wednesday, 18th August, 2010 5:00pm

Worst case of dangerous driving ever - judge

Judge Sean MacBride.

A high-speed car chase in Cavan town, which passed by children being dropped off at a secondary school and resulted in a collision with an innocent female motorist and the ramming of a garda patrol car, had a sequel in Cavan District Court recently.

Judge Sean MacBride described the case at "the worst case of dangerous driving ever to come before him". As a result of the charges before the court, the judge jailed two men from Cavan town, one of whom was charged with escaping from l Loughan House open prison.

Judge MacBride complimented the gardaí in the case, Eogan Reid and Michael McHugh for their bravery. He recommended that it be brought to the attention of the Garda Commissioner that both men showed real courage and dedication to duty in the face of a real risk of imminent death. It should be recorded at the highest level on their record. "I think the public of Ireland are grateful for the courage of An Garda Siochana, when they risk their lives in the preservation of life, limb and property." Both men pleaded guilty and an apology was tendered to the gardaí in court by their solicitor, for their behaviour on the occasion.

Terence McDonagh, 10 Townparks, Cavan was sentenced to five months when convicted of dangerous driving at Drumalee on April 16, 2010 and he was given a consecutive five months when convicted of dangerous driving on the same occasion at Drumbo, Cavan. He was given another concurrent five months for resisting arrest by Garda Michael McHugh, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty at Castlesaunderson Demesne.

Another concurrent five months were imposed when he was convicted of driving directly at Garda Eoghan Reid, causing him to take evasive action and also driving directly at the Garda Patrol Car and ramming it, while Garda Michael McHugh, was inside the vehicle at Rahellistin, Redhills and created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. He was also given a concurrent six months on a charge of allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle, which was taken possession of without the consent of the owner and disqualified from driving for five years. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

The other defendant Charles McDonagh, 64 Lakeview, The Fairgreen, Cavan was sentenced to six months for escaping from lawful custody at Loughan House Prison. He was given a concurrent six months when convicted of allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle, which was taken without the consent of the owner at Castlesaunderson Demesne. He was also disqualified from driving for five years.

McDonagh was also handed a concurrent four months for resisting arrest by Garda Eoghan Reid, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty at Castlesaunderson Demesne. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

Inspector Alan Cunningham told the court that Charles McDonagh was a passenger in the car on the occasion.

Detective Sergeant James Fraher said gardaí were alerted about a vehicle at Townparks, Cavan. As Garda Reid and McHugh went to the scene to ascertain what was going on, the car sped out past them.

The gardaí then proceeded to follow the vehicle through the town and out past the vocational school. It was school time that morning and there were a lot of people on the road. The vehicle crashed into a person driving to their place of work and then proceeded onto the by-pass where they struck another car. Then they headed towards Butlersbridge in the direction of the frontier.

But for the fast actions of Garda McHugh and Garda Reid they would have got across the Border, which Detective Garda Fraher believed they were headed. The gardai had to use pepper spray on the occasion.