Drama as man tries to flee court

THERE were dramatic scenes at Gorey District Court last week as a man made a rather flimsy attempt to evade garda custody, jumping up on the seats in the courtroom and attempting to get out the back door before being tackled by members of An Garda Síochána.

Colm McDonald (27) of no fixed abode, was brought before the court in custody in relation to charges of criminal damage, entering a curtilage with the intention of committing an offence and engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour at 3 Branogue Park, Courtown Harbour on April 22 last.

Solicitor Lana Doherty consented to a remand in custody until June 6. However, when gardaí moved to bring McDonald back out to the cells, he leapt up and began frantically looking for an escape route. Eventually, he hopped up on the benches in the body of the courtroom and began stepping over them, in between members of the public, making his way towards the exit at the back.

Two members of the gardaí shouted at him to get down before he looked up towards Judge Haughton and shouted ‘Are you going to let me go?’

The Judge replied that he had made his order and eventually another four gardaí arrived through the door from the cells and McDonald was tackled and removed from the court.