Carjacking accused refused compassionate bail for mum’s funeral

A man charged with hijacking an elderly woman’s car in Dublin has been refused compassionate bail to attend his mother’s funeral.

John Hanley (32), of Droim na Coille Avenue, Lucan, Co Dublin, was initially remanded in custody following a court appearance on Monday.

He is accused of getting into a woman’s 2015-reg Toyota Corolla via the front passenger door, forcing his way into the driver’s seat and making her leave the car at the R136 Grange Castle Road, in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, last Saturday night. It is alleged he unlawfully seized or exercised control over the vehicle.

The woman, in her 70s, was returning from a prayer group meeting.

Mr Hanley also faces two counts of driving the Corolla dangerously, in a manner including speed, on Saturday night at Katharine Tynan Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24, but has not yet entered a plea.

He had been denied bail at his first appearance, but Mr Hanley applied for compassionate release yesterday, when he appeared before Judge John O’Leary at Cloverhill District Court.

Garda Alan Dunne objected to the application due to the seriousness of the case.

The request was because his mother had died during the week, and her funeral will be held tomorrow in Tullamore.

Defence counsel Eloise Flynn proposed that her client’s sister would collect him around 9am, take him to the funeral mass and burial and return him to the prison by 6pm.

The family offered to lodge €500, and the judge was told he would obey conditions and not consume alcohol.

Judge O’Leary extended his condolences to Mr Hanley and his family and was thanked by the accused. He sympathised with the accused and his wife, who was in court.

However, refusing bail, he said: “The court, while being compassionate, has to be dispassionate.” His main concern was that the accused would not attend court if released, and he noted the seriousness of the charge.

The court heard that the accused, who still had the presumption of innocence, faced a charge that carries a maximum 15-year sentence.

Mr Hanley, who became visibly upset when the judge delivered the ruling, did not give evidence and was remanded in continuing custody, to appear again in May. Gardaí must obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.