Martin “Sonny” Casey (right), pictured in 2015, is due to be sentenced this week for a number of offences which took place in 2021 I FILE PICTURE
A TRAVELLER was before the courts for forcing a garda to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by a car driven by the accused. The court heard it is the second such incident he has been involved in.
Martin “Sonny” Casey, aged 34, of Toppins Field Halting Site, Rathbane, Limerick city pleaded guilty to endangerment - intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a slash hook and driving without insurance.
The offences occurred on the Childers Road in Limerick city at 7pm on Friday, August 27, 2021.
The previous endangerment charge occurred at Fedamore Cross in 2015 for which Casey received a three-year jail sentence.
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Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Sergeant Donagh Walsh.
Mr O’Sullivan said gardai received a call that Casey was in a grey BMW outside the Maldron hotel.
“Garda headed to that area and observed Casey in the vehicle which turned out to have false registration plates. Gardai boxed in the vehicle driven by Casey. He made several attempts to evade gardai by performing a series of turns. As his path was blocked he reversed into another vehicle with such force that the BMW lifted from the ground.
“It was in close proximity to a garda (not Sgt Walsh) who was endeavouring to open the door to get access to Casey. The garda was forced to take evasive action to avoid being struck," said Mr O’Sullivan. The court heard Casey refused to open the door. Gardai broke the driver window but Casey exited through the passenger window and was arrested.
A hammer, slash hook, screwdriver and balacalava were in the car, said Mr O’Sullivan.
The prosecuting barrister said the background was that there had been an incident at Toppins Field at 4.55am on the previous morning.
“It appears there may have been a falling out between Casey and another male or males,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
During garda questioning after he was arrested, Casey said he was driving the car earlier in the day. Sgt Walsh said that was the totality of his admissions.
The woman driving the vehicle damaged by Casey declined to make a statement.
Judge Colin Daly was told Casey has a number of previous convictions including endangerment.
Sgt Walsh said Casey drove through a checkpoint at speed in 2015 and “gardai had to take evasive action on that occasion as well”.
Mr O’Sullivan said there were also a multiplicity of road traffic offences as well as theft, public order and possession of an article.
“He was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
CCTV was played of the endangerment offence on the Childers Road for Judge Daly.
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Fergal McMorrow BL, who represented Casey, handed in a psychiatric report and two letters of remorse. He said his client was diagnosed with behavioural issues in 2020 which might be linked to substance misuse.
“In 2022, he attended Cuan Mhuire and has not come to garda attention in four years. He is a 34-year-old man from the Travelling community. He left school at 13. He has been married for 12 years and has four young children under the age of 6.
“There have been mental health challenges in his background. He was diagnosed with PTSD in 2016 following a car accident. He abused Xanax and cannabis and had a dependence on alcohol. He has had a miraculous turnaround and apologises. No one was hurt thankfully,” said Mr McMorrow, who asked Judge Daly to give his client one last opportunity.
The barrister also said that Casey's eldest daughter is due to celebrate her First Holy Communion. Judge Daly said he was going to take the matter into consideration and will give his judgement on May 30.
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