Woman with a child had to jump out of the way after car mounts footpath in Limerick during garda chase

A MOTORIST mounted a footpath while being chased by gardai, drove his car along the pavement and forced a woman with a child to jump out of the way, a court has heard.

Luke Hayes, aged 24, of Downey Street, Killalee, Garryowen, Limerick city, pleaded guilty to a total of four counts of endangerment, 14 counts of dangerous driving and one count each of driving without insurance and without a driving licence.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Stephen McEntegart at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.  

Gardaí on mobile patrol observed the accused, who was disqualified from driving at the time, driving a blue Volkswagen Golf on the Hyde Road in Limerick city at 4.38pm on May 6, 2023.

When gardaí pulled up behind Mr Hayes and attempted to speak to him, he drove off “at speed, breaking a red light”.

A chase then ensued through the city, with the accused man driving at speed and overtaking several cars.  When Mr Hayes was blocked by two garda cars at the junction of Parnell Street and Roches Street he mounted a footpath, drove along it and forced a woman with a child to jump out of the way to prevent them being hit by the car, the court heard.

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Gardai stood down their pursuit as it was “too dangerous to continue following” Mr Hayes due to the nature of his driving and the risk to the public.

Gardai proceeded to Garryowen where the defendant resides and observed Mr Hayes. He again mounted the footpath in the “busy residential area” where children played on a green area. The garda pursuit was again stood down for public safety reasons.

When Mr Hayes was later arrested by gardai he accepted his driving was reckless and could have caused members of the public “serious injury or death”.

Judge Colin Daly said it was only through “luck and good fortune” that no one had been injured. He said that the incident had harmed the reputation of the city and noted how busy the city centre is, particularly at that time of day.

Judge Daly described the event as “harmful to city life”, citing the fear it instilled in those who witnessed it.

He said that Mr Hayes had driven in the “most dangerous way”, displaying a “callous disregard for the safety of others”.

Judge Daly added that the footage of the incident was “extremely frightening” and the accused’s actions were “reckless and utterly dangerous”.

Mr Hayes was also before the court for a separate incident involving a scrambler, to which he had also pleaded guilty to one count of endangerment.

The incident occurred on Ellen Street in Limerick city on January 27, 2023. Mr O’Sullivan outlined that Mr Hayes intentionally drove the front wheel of the scrambler into a male on two occasions.

Judge Daly said that Mr Hayes “had used the scrambler as a weapon”.

In mitigation, defending barrister Amy Nix (pictured below) said that her client had apologised for his actions and is the father of two young children.

Ms Nix said that the accused suffers from anxiety and depression and had recently taken steps to distance himself from a “negative peer group”.

The barrister said her client said he “panicked” because he thought somebody was getting into his car.

“He accepts his driving was reckless and that somebody could have been hurt but thankfully no one was injured,” said Ms Nix.

The barrister, in relation to the scrambler incident, said it was not Mr Hayes’ bike, he was not used to it, he apologised to the man and compensated him for the loss of a kebab which fell on the ground.

Judge Daly sentenced Mr Hayes to four-years-and-eight-months in prison with the final 12 months suspended on each of the three endangerment charges arising out of the garda pursuit. 

Judge Daly imposed a two year jail sentence for the endangerment offence involving the scrambler. 

The judge handed down four month jail terms on two of the dangerous driving charges and a further four months for no insurance.

All of the sentences will run concurrently, meaning Mr Hayes received a four-year-and-eight month sentence with the final 12 months suspended. 

Judge Daly also banned him from driving for five years from the date of his release.