Young man 'running wild' fell asleep during questioning at Limerick Garda Station

A YOUNG man who “was running wild” has been brought before Limerick Circuit Court for endangerment and stealing fuel.

Aaron Downes, 22, with a home address at Lord Edward Street, Limerick drove his black Kia car, followed by a red Toyota being driven by a minor in Galway on August 4, 2024. 

Mr Downes visited Corrib Oil petrol station three times over the course of a day - and took fuel without paying on each occasion.

Detective Rob Sheehy confirmed the facts of the case with State Barrister John O’Sullivan. The detective outlined that a garda later saw both cars racing each other on a two-way road in Limerick, and the cars collided with each other sideways twice while doing so.

READ MORE: ‘Sleep well little sister’: Brother shares last moments of nurse’s life before fatal Limerick collision in moving eulogy

The garda turned on the blue lights but neither car would stop. The Toyota and Kia turned onto the Groody Road, Limerick and then into Brú na Gruadán estate. Mr Downes used hand brake turns to do so.

The gardaí pulled across Mr Downes’ vehicle - which, at this point, was driving on the pedestrian footpath. The court heard that a pedestrian was made to flee and that the second driver - who was a minor - committed further acts of endangerment

Detective Sheehy said the young man was “driving at excessive speed” during the incident. Mr O’Sullivan described the estate as a “built-up area”, and said that the drivers had “no regard for the safety of road users or for their own safety”.

Detective Sheehy said when Mr Downes was questioned that night, he fell asleep. Judge Colin Daly responded that it was “a busy day” for the young man.

The judge heard that Mr Downes has previous convictions for burglary, theft and property damage.

Barrister Yvonne Quinn said in mitigation that Mr Downes was homeless at the time, and that his mother left his family when he was seven. The barrister said that Mr Downes has struggled with addiction and has been to rehab.

Ms Quinn said that when Mr Downes became homeless he started “running wild”. His convictions began in 2023 and this occasion was the first time he has been before the circuit court.

Ms Quinn said that though her client was “driving recklessly” and was “completely out of control”, there was no front impact of the vehicles during the collisions.

Judge Daly said that he will sentence Mr Downes on a later date in February.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme