Former All-Star hurler has dangerous driving charges dismissed

Sunday World

17-05-2025

'Deficiencies' |
Former Cork hurling goalkeeper Anthony Nash has had two charges of dangerous driving against him dismissed following alleged incidents on May 30, 2024.
Former Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash. Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Mr Nash, of 21 Barterswood, Tower, Blarney, Co Cork, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving contrary to Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act, in relation to alleged incidents on May 30, 2024. The locations were Townparks, Cahir, and Old Church Street, Townparks, Cahir, Co Tipperary.
A witness, Marta Kusowa, told Judge Brian O'Shea that she was driving with her daughter on the day when another driver nearly crashed into her. She turned back and followed him, where he parked up near Cahir Garda Station. Ms Kusowa also parked and went into the station for help. A garda came out as the other car started moving.
'The garda was trying to stop the car, and the car kept driving,' she told Insp Stephen Heffernan. 'I don't know if he did not see the garda.'
She said that the garda jumped out, but he was not knocked down by the car.
The car was then observed outside a Chinese restaurant, about 15m from the garda station. Ms Kusowa said at one stage, she saw the driver, Mr Nash, standing and taking off his car's registration plates from the front. The registration plates were 'hanging off' the car, and seem to have become dislodged, said David Staunton BL, for Mr Nash.
Former Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash. Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
News in 90 Seconds - May 17th
As the garda jumped out into the road to stop the car, the car did not stop, said Ms Kusowa. 'He was gesturing to stop.' The Skoda Mr Nash was driving 'nearly hit the garda but it did not,' said Ms Kusowa. The garda's hand hit the wing mirror, she maintained.
Garda Gavin Browne gave evidence that, at about 6.10pm, a woman called into the station. She said another driver had nearly caused an accident, and this car was now parked outside the station.
Gda Browne said he called out to his colleague, Garda Judy Davern, and the woman pointed to the Skoda Octavia. He saw a male getting back into the car. Gda Browne was going to approach the driver, but then decided to go on to the road.
There were other cars coming, but Gda Browne said he allowed four to five vehicles to pass before he stood in the middle of the road 'in full uniform' as the Skoda approached him. 'I put my right hand up indicating him to stop,' he said.
He felt that the car was not going to stop, and he shouted about five times to stop. The Skoda driver 'gave me the thumbs up", said Gda Browne.
Gda Browne said he jumped out of the way of the oncoming car, 'because the car was going to hit me.' He jumped into a nearby space, as the wing mirror 'hit me'. The Skoda had mounted the kerb.
The garda shouted out the registration number to his colleague. As he did so, the car took off in the direction of Cahir town. Gda Browne said he went to radio for assistance.
Under questioning, Gda Browne said: 'I was not counting the clock. I cannot say exactly if it was 30 seconds. I was concerned for my safety. I just wanted to get out of the way of the vehicle.
'I am six foot man. I am a large man. Everyone would have seen me because I shouted.'
Explaining why he went out into the road, he added: 'I was afraid if I walked up to the vehicle, he would take off. I decided it would be better and safer to go on to the road. The vehicle struck me. I jumped out of the way. My hand would have been out. I put my hand out to protect myself.'
In her evidence, Gda Davern said it was 6.10pm when Gda Browne was talking with the woman.
'I could see a grey Skoda pulled in by the gate at the garda station,' she said, adding that she saw a male driver in the car.
When Gda Browne went out to stop the car, Gda Davern said that 'he put his hand up to signal the car to stop.'
She said it approached and did not stop. The driver put his thumb in the air, and took off at speed into Cahir town. "I ran and took down the reg,' said Gda Davern.
Gda Davern traced the number to a business in Cork and spoke to a man named Eamonn Tarrant. She told him the car had been involved in a serious incident. He gave the name of Anthony Nash as being in possession of the vehicle. The vehicle was 'not slowing down' and 'swerved' at a footpath outside the station, added Gda Davern.
Sgt Shane O'Neill said it was about 6.30pm when he was informed by Gda Browne that he went out to stop a vehicle at Cahir Garda Station.
'The vehicle had nearly collided with Gda Browne and he had to take evasive measures to avoid being hit by the car,' said Sgt O'Neill.
On June 5, six days later, Mr Nash presented himself at a garda station and gave a voluntary statement. Mr Nash made admissions about taking off the licence plate. He said he knew it was damaged and in a panic, he took if off and drove away. 'I should have remained at the scene,' he told the garda, explaining that he has family members in An Garda Síochána and respects the force.
He said he suffers from anxiety and had had a relationship break-up at the time. He had been working with his GP and a psychologist on these issues.
He was under stress and taking a prescribed medicine, Librium, on the day. 'I did not know it was a garda at all until it was made aware to me,' said Mr Nash in the interview, and apologised. 'It was not my intention. I fully respect the force.'
Mr Nash said he didn't recall the garda raising his hand. From Cahir, he drove back to Killarney afterwards. He has no previous convictions.
Concluding, Judge O'Shea said that no evidence had been presented that there was dangerous driving 'in a public place'. Two separate alleged incidents were raised and it was not clear 'which is which", he said.
'I think it would be unfair to amend the summons at this stage,' Judge O'Shea told gardaí. There were 'deficiencies', which would not allow an amendment at this stage.
The State had not proven that either location was a public place and 'that is essential in a dangerous driving case,' ruled Judge O'Shea. The charges were dismissed.