Man charged with dangerous driving as he 'rammed' into a patrol car

Gardaí in Co Monaghan have charged a man following an incident of dangerous driving and criminal damage to an official Garda vehicle that occurred in the early hours of Friday, December 20.
 
At around 2am, uniformed gardaí on patrol at Ballykelly, Co Louth, observed a car travelling at speed towards Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

The vehicle drove at the marked patrol car and gardaí had to take evasive action to avoid being deliberately struck.

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A marked Armed Support Unit vehicle on patrol in the area joined the pursuit and was deliberately collided with in Inniskeen. The pursuit continued through a number of townlands to Kilmurray, Culloville, where the car deliberately collided with the ASU vehicle again.

The driver lost control of the vehicle, which came to a stop, and two males aged in their 20s were arrested. A third fled on foot. A search of the car resulted in the seizure of a quantity of a controlled substance and cash.

One male has been charged. He is due to appear before Monaghan District Court on Monday, January 13. Investigations are ongoing and a file is also being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
 
No injuries were reported during this incident. All gardaí involved are receiving support from their colleagues and other Organisation Supports if required.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.

Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the areas from Ballykelly, Co Louth to Ednamo, Inniskeen, Co Monaghan and to Kilmurray, Culloville, between 1.50am to 2.30am are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Castleblayney garda station on 042 9747900, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.