Court told gardaí gave chase for 20km

DETAILS of the dangerous driving charges brought against Ray Carthy (31) of 9 Rosemount Gardens, Ballymurn were given at the District Court sitting in Wexford.

Traffic corps garda Niall Brophy told the judge how he was on duty in Castlebridge around midnight on September 4 when he saw a Volkswagen Passat pulling out of a petrol station. He stated that this led to a 20 kilometre chase before the car came to a halt at Millands in Oylegate.

The garda believed that Carthy was the driver, alleging that he drove at 80 km/h through the villages of Castlebridge and Ballymurn.

It was further alleged that the driver of a van coming in the opposite direction was obliged to take evasive action in Ballylucas to avoid a collision with the Passat.

Garda Brophy also said that Carthy narrowly avoided pedestrians along the way.

Judge Gerard Haughton ruled that the case should be referred to the Circuit Court.

Charges alleging that the defendant had illicit drugs for sale or supply to others were also before the court. Solicitor John O’Donovan said there might be an issue about his client’s fitness to plead.

Mr O’Donovan described Carthy’s behaviour at a previous court sitting as peculiar, though the accused man now appeared to be a lot better.

The judge responded that the court would seek preparation of a medical report as a matter of urgency, adjourning for a week.