Limerick man jailed for a second time for endangering a garda's life

A TRAVELLER “faced with the prospect of being apprehended by gardai effectively used the car as a weapon to try to facilitate his escape”, heard a court.

Judge Colin Daly said Martin “Sonny” Casey “showed scant regard for the safety of gardai or other innocent road users”.

Casey, aged 34, of Toppins Field Halting Site, Rathbane, Limerick city was given a four-year prison sentence with the last year suspended, last Friday.

Casey had pleaded guilty to endangerment - intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. Casey had forced a garda to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by a car he was driving.

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He also pleaded guilty at Limerick Criminal Circuit Court to possession of a slash hook and driving without insurance. 

The three offences occurred on the Childers Road in Limerick city at 7pm on Friday, August 27, 2021.

Casey has a previous conviction for endangerment, when he also forced a garda to take evasive action to avoid being hit, at Fedamore Cross in 2015 for which he received a three-year jail sentence.

The evidence of the Childers Road endangerment charge, possession of a slash hook and no insurance was heard on Thursday, May 15.

 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 on August 27, 2021.

“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 who was endeavouring to open the door to get access to Casey. 

“The garda (not Sgt Walsh) 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. 

Judge Daly adjourned matters to last Friday, May 30, to consider his judgement. 

In imposing sentence, the judge said Casey’s culpability must be considered very high.

“He was driving a car with false number plates and when faced with the prospect of being apprehended by gardai he effectively used the car as a weapon to try to facilitate his escape

“When a car is used to ram other cars it is particularly serious and a potential lethal weapon. The accused showed scant regard for the safety of gardai or other innocent road users,” said Judge Daly.

The judge said a particularly aggravating factor was that Casey has a previous conviction for endangerment.

Judge Daly said Casey was disqualified from driving at the time and has a total of 91 previous convictions, including 15 for dangerous driving, 11 for no driving licence and four for driving without insurance.

Judge Daly said a slash hook is a particularly nasty weapon, capable of inflicting serious harm or fatal injury.

The judge took into account Casey’s guilty plea and circumstances.

“He is a 34-year-old Traveller man with four young children. Substance and alcohol misuse has exacerbated mental health difficulties. 

“He has attended residential treatment and aftercare and hasn’t come to adverse attention since 2021,” said Judge Daly, who also noted Casey volunteers with St Munchin’s Boxing Club.

Judge Daly imposed a four-year jail sentence with the last year suspended for endangerment.

Concurrent sentences of 18 months and four months in jail were handed down for possession of a slash hook and driving without insurance respectively.

Judge Daly also disqualified Casey from driving for 10 years.

The judge also ordered the destruction of a slash hook.