Accused said ‘I did it for me kids’ after alleged carjacking

An elderly woman returning home from a prayer group was allegedly forced out of her vehicle by a carjacker, who rifled through her belongings and spilled holy water on the car floor.

After being charged by gardaí, John Hanley (32) replied: “I did it, man, for me kids.”

The alleged victim, who is in her 70s, was left “absolutely terrified” by the incident that happened in Dublin, a court has been told.

Judge David McHugh refused bail and remanded Mr Hanley in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.

The accused, with an address at Droim Na Coille Avenue in Lucan, Dublin, appeared before Blanchardstown District Court yesterday.

He is charged with unlawfully seizing a vehicle in Clondalkin, and three counts of dangerous driving at Bóthair Katharine Tynan, Tallaght, last Saturday.

Garda Alan Dunne said Mr Hanley was arrested at 9.25pm on Saturday and taken to Clondalkin garda station, where he was later charged.

Gda Dunne said Mr Hanley was handed a copy of the charge sheets. In reply after caution, he said: “I did it, man, for me kids”.

Gda Dunne objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charges. In relation to the allegation, he said the victim had been driving home after attending House of Prayer, a religious group in Co Mayo. She had prayer cards and holy water in the car, which she planned to give to friends.

Gda Dunne alleged Mr Hanley walked in front of the woman’s car while she was stopped at the junction of Nangor Road and Grange Castle Road in Clondalkin.

Mr Hanley jumped on the bonnet and then entered the vehicle, at which point he started shouting incoherently at the woman, the court was told. Gda Dunne alleged Mr Hanley went through the woman’s belongings, spilling holy water and the prayer cards onto the car floor.

Mr Hanley allegedly forced his way into the driver’s seat and the injured party got out, before the car was driven towards the N7.

Mr Hanley allegedly drove dangerously on a number of occasions before he was arrested by gardaí.

Gda Dunne said the woman had been “absolutely terrified” by the ordeal. Defence solicitor Terence Hanahoe asked the judge to grant bail, subject to strict conditions. This was refused.

Mr Hanahoe said his client had an injury and needed treatment. Judge McHugh directed that Mr Hanley should receive medical care in custody.