Paul Doyle shakes head in court as he's accused of using car as weapon
A man accused of using his car as a "weapon" and ramming a car into crowds at last Monday's Liverpool victory parade, injuring nearly 80 people, has appeared in court.
Paul Doyle, 53, of West Derby, Liverpool, is charged with a host of offences including two counts each of wounding with intent, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, along with one count of dangerous driving after allegedly ploughing into football fans celebrating Liverpool FC's title win. Amongst the wounded during the incident were individuals aged between nine to 78, all of whom are British.
He was arrested by police following the chaos on Monday and appeared visibly upset in Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Friday, surrounded by two female custody officers. Donned in a black suit and white shirt, sporting a grey tie, Doyle seemed dishevelled and spent most of the proceedings staring down towards the ground.
He looked around at the dozens of reporters packing the courtroom as he was brought in from the cells, his face crumpling slightly as he held back tears. District Judge Paul Healey asked for the defendant to identify himself and in a croaky voice, Doyle confirmed his name, gave his date of birth and address in Liverpool.
District judge Healey said there were real prospects of further charges, adding he was satisfied this was an "exceptional case" that "shocked and outraged" the people of Liverpool and beyond. He granted the prosecution's request for orders protecting the identities of the six complainants, reports the Mirror.
Doyle shook his head in the dock as the prosecutor told the judge he drove "deliberately at the crowd" and "used his vehicle as a weapon".
Doyle was remanded in custody and there will be a further hearing later on Friday at Liverpool Crown Court.
Police named the dad-of-three as the suspect on Thursday when he was charged after detectives were given more time to quiz him over the incident. Officers have been seen stationed outside his family home where Doyle lives with his wife and their three sons. Loved-up pictures on social media show the family enjoying various holidays including Disneyland Florida, Dubai and at the beach.
The most recent update by Merseyside Police said seven people were still recovering in hospital after horrific clips showed a Ford Galaxy people carrier mowing down crowds just after the parade finished around 6pm. On Wednesday afternoon the force stated the total number injured was now at 79, but more people had been discharged from hospital. Casualties' ages range between 9 and 78 years old.
It remains unclear exactly what Doyle does for work, with a number of dissolved retail companies listed under his name on Companies House. His LinkedIn page says he is a former Royal Marine Commando and now works in IT.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the charges against Doyle would be kept "under review as the investigation progresses".
During a press conference on Thursday evening outlining the charges, Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Jenny Sims said that the force's "thoughts remain with all those injured and affected by this appalling incident" She added: "I fully understand how this incident has left us all shocked and saddened, and I know many will continue to have concerns and questions. Our detectives are working tirelessly, with diligence and professionalism to seek the answer to all of those questions. When we are able to we will provide further information."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
7 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Family of Denis Donaldson say Gerry Adams 'retraumatised' them with libel action
The family of murdered informant Denis Donaldson have called for a public inquiry into his death, as they accused Gerry Adams of 'retraumatising' them with his libel action against the BBC. The former Sinn Féin president yesterday said he has 'put manners' on the BBC, after winning €100,000 in damages over an allegation that he sanctioned the murder of the British spy. Mr Adams had sued the BBC in the High Court in Dublin, claiming it wrongly alleged that he had the 'final say' in the death of Sinn Féin official and informant Denis Donaldson. Gerry Adams. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Donegal in April 2006, four months after confessing that he had been an agent for the British security forces for 20 years. The murder remains unsolved. Mr Adams, who has been both a TD and an MP, said the 2016 Spotlight documentary, Spy In The IRA, had damaged his reputation as a peacemaker. He said the programme was a 'grievous smear' and a 'hatchet job' – and the jury agreed. Gerry Adams. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Following the verdict, Mr Donaldson's daughter Jane called for an urgent public inquiry into her father's violent death. Speaking on behalf of her immediate family, she said: 'By reducing events which damaged our lives to a debate about damage to his reputation, the plaintiff has trivialised our family tragedy. 'Daddy's murder and surrounding circumstances devastated our family. The plaintiff prioritised his own financial and reputational interests over any regard for retraumatising my family.' She continued: 'We are still no closer to the truth. No one spoke for my family in court. We supported neither side in this case.' Gerry Adams. Pic: Collins Courts She said her family had been 'stonewalled' in their pursuit of the truth, while 'limitless' legal resources and vast expense were invested in the High Court case. She noted that an inquest into Mr Donaldson's death had been postponed 27 times, and said the family had been refused a judgeled commission of investigation. She said the public interest could Plaintiff: only be Gerry served by Adams some form of public inquiry, with a crossborder dimension, 'empowered to investigate the whole truth about the conspiracy to expose and murder my daddy'. Adam Smyth, director of the BBC in the North, said the broadcast and online article 'were of the highest public interest'. 'We didn't want to come to court, but it was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision,' he said after the verdict yesterday. Mr Smyth added that the implications of this case will be 'profound'. 'If the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it's hard to see how anyone's could,' he explained. The head of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ireland, Séamus Dooley, said the case 'underlined' the need for reform of the defamation legislation. 'As an official representing BBC journalists I was disappointed at the comments made by Mr Adams regarding the organisation' he said, referring to his claim to have 'put manners' on the broadcaster. 'Spotlight has a proud history of investigative journalism and the outcome of this case does not take from that history.' He said the scale of damages gave rise to serious concern for media organisations. 'The NUJ has long sought reform of defamation law and Twitter,' he said. The BBC had argued that the documentary, and a follow-up online article, were fair and reasonable publications on a matter of public interest. Facing potential legal costs of over €1.5million for the four-week case, it said yesterday that the implications of the verdict for investigative journalism in the future 'will be profound'. Mr Adams's reputation was at the core of the case, with the BBC maintaining that the public believed him to have been a senior member of the IRA for many years. The broadcaster's barrister, Eoin McCullough, had said: 'If a person has the reputation of having been in the IRA or on the army council, or having presided over a campaign in which many people were killed, they should not be awarded damages on account of the allegation that the final order for one more murder lay with him.' However, the jury found that the words used in the documentary, and a follow-up online news article, were defamatory, and awarded €100,000 to restore Mr Adams's reputation. Speaking outside court, Mr Adams – who has said the money will be given to charity – told the waiting media that he had flaws in his character, but that he had 'always been satisfied with my reputation'. He continued: 'From my perspective, taking this case was about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation. I know many, many journalists. I like to think that I get on well with most of them… 'But the British Broadcasting Corporation upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland and in my view, it's out of sync in many, many fronts with the Good Friday Agreement.' Mr Adams said he was mindful that Mr Donaldson's family had to 'watch all of this'. He called on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to meet with the Donaldson family 'as quickly as possible'. Mr Adams's legal team had said the programme was reckless journalism, based on an unverified allegation from a single anonymous source. The BBC had countered that the claim was presented as an allegation and not a fact, and that it was corroborated by five other sources including the security services.
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit, 60, dies after ‘early hours violent assault outside a nightclub' in the Algarve
A BRITISH man has died after he was reportedly assaulted in the Algarve resort of Lagos. He is said to have been kicked or punched in the head in the town's bar and nightclub area at around 3am on Saturday morning. Advertisement 3 A Brit has died after being assaulted in the Algarve Credit: Solarpix 3 He was assisted by medical responders who tried to revive him but was pronounced dead at Lagos Hospital Credit: Solarpix 3 The Lagos in the Algarve is a popular spot for tourists Credit: Solarpix The tragic man, believed to be around 60 years old, was assisted at the scene by emergency medical responders who tried to revive him. He was pronounced dead after being rushed to Lagos Hospital. Paramedics, firefighters and officers from Portugal's PSP police force responded to the emergency call. It was not immediately clear if any arrests had been made. Advertisement Lagos is a town in southern Portugal's Algarve region, known for its walled old town, cliffs and stunning beaches. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Breaking
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Liverpool parade crash suspect ‘holds back tears' in court as trial date set
Former UK Royal Marine is accused of injuring dozens, including children aged 11 and 17 ©Press Association A trial date has been set for the alleged driver of a car that ploughed into a crowd at Liverpool's Premier League victory parade. Paul Doyle (53) appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday afternoon charged with seven offences following the incident on Water Street in the city centre on Monday, which resulted in 79 people suffering injuries.
