Ended up in river after escape from Enniscorthygardai
A MAN who escaped from Enniscorthy garda station and ended up in the River Slaney was sentenced for a string of offences by Judge Gerard Haughton.
A few days after receiving a jail term from the Circuit Court for serious assault, Dean Ward (30) of Ballintlea in Gorey was brought before the District Court from prison to deal with outstanding charges.
The court heard how Ward did a runner with Garda Kelly Egan from the barracks on the afternoon of February 27, escaping through the old Dunnes Stores car park.
He made his way into the rear of Sheehan’s shop, now owned by Yaming Weng, and then broke a window at the front of the premises to emerge on to Rafter Street.
At one stage he approached a moving car, driven by a woman, and grabbed the door handle on the driver’s side without being able to open the door.
Motorists on Island Road were obliged to brake as he darted out across the line of traffic before jumping over a wall and entering the river.
Ward was eventually pulled out by Sergeant Jarlath Murphy who went into the water after him to persuade him to return to dry land.
Previous convictions disclosed to Judge Haughton included one count of grievous bodily harm imposed at Guildford in England in 2006 which drew a three-year sentence.
Solicitor Ed King told the District Court how his client, who lived in England from the age of six, returned to Ireland after doing his time in the UK.
The solicitor revealed that the defendant had worked for a while as a builder’s labourer and that he had a five year old son with whom he was in regular contact.
Mr King pointed out that Ward had been in custody since his arrest in February.
Judge Haughton commended the sergeant for risking his life by going into the river in the cold of mid-winter.
A nine month prison sentence was recorded, to run from last February.