3 days ago
Dad of two ‘caught red-handed' driving directly at garda on stolen motorbike, court told
'He was caught red-handed,' the garda said.
A MOTORBIKE rider drove 'directly' and dangerously at a garda, knocking him down and leaving him with a dislocated ankle, it has been alleged.
Christopher Reynolds (24) was on a high-powered bike that was suspected to be stolen when he drove it into an investigating officer in an attempt to escape, a court was told.
The father-of-two was refused bail when he appeared in court today charged with dangerously driving a stolen motorbike and assault causing harm to a garda in north Dublin yesterday.
Mr Reynolds, a community employment scheme worker from Heatley Place, Malahide Road, Dublin 17 is also charged with unlawful possession of a screwdriver, and cocaine, on May 28.
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At Blanchardstown District Court, Judge Aine Clancy remanded him in custody to a date next week, for DPP directions.
Garda Declan Meehan said Mr Reynolds made no reply to any of the charges after caution at Finglas station at 11.10pm last night.
Objecting to bail, he said he was among gardai attached to the district drug unit on patrol at North Road, Finglas when they saw two motorbikes driving into the forecourt of the Circle K garage.
Believing the bikes to be stolen, the gardai approached on foot. The drivers observed them and tried to drive out of the forecourt, Gda Meehan said.
He alleged the motorbike riders then drove dangerously at the gardai in an attempt to evade them and one made good his escape.
The other - Mr Reynolds - drove directly at a garda, colliding with him and causing him to fall to the ground, it was alleged.
Gda Meehan said the accused then ran off, against oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the dual carriageway. The garda followed him and Mr Reynolds took off his helmet and threw it at him as he attempted to evade him, he said. The accused was apprehended.
The injured garda was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital by ambulance.
The motorbike was a high-powered Husqvarna that had been stolen from an address in Raheny on April 18, the garda said. The accused had two small bags of cocaine and a screwdriver in his possession that he allegedly used to start the bike, he alleged.
'He was caught red-handed,' the garda said. 'He drove at gardai in a reckless manner with no regard to the safety of members of the gardai or the public. He attempted to evade justice by absconding from the gardai and evading capture.'
A further charge of endangerment could be brought by the prosecution, Gda Meehan for bail, defence barrister Mark McMahon said the case would likely go to the circuit court and the accused who was presumed innocent would be in custody for at least two years awaiting trial.
He was prepared to abide by bail conditions including not driving any vehicle. Gda Meehan said he did not believe Mr Reynolds would abide by bail conditions.
Judge Clancy said she believed it was reasonably necessary to refuse bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on June 4.
