16-05-2025
Drunk Cork woman who fled a collision with garda on the bonnet of her car is jailed
A member of An Garda Síochána was put at risk of death or serious harm when a motorist drove a distance with the officer on the bonnet of her car, and on Friday the 43-year-old drink driver was jailed for two years.
Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a sentence of three years, with the last year suspended, in the case against Áine O'Connor, of 76 Riverview Estate, Tower, Co Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
The indictable charge against Ms O'Connor is brought under Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
It states that: 'On October 26, 2023, at Cloghroe, Blarney, Co Cork, that she intentionally or recklessly engaged in conduct, namely driving a Red Renault Megane at Garda Karol Mellamphy and knocking him on to the bonnet of the car and continuing to drive for a distance carrying him on the bonnet before stopping, which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.'
Garda Eric Stafford said Garda Mellamphy was on his way home from work dressed half in uniform when there was a motor collision and he followed the car, which struck his vehicle.
'He exited his vehicle and approached the Renault Megane where there were two males and a female. He identified himself as a garda and the two males, who did not believe him, assaulted him.
'Áine O'Connor got into the driver's seat and attempted to flee. Garda Mellamphy stood in front of the Megane and directed her not to drive the car. She drove straight at him, knocked him on to the bonnet of the car and she drove towards Cloghroe with the guard on the bonnet. The driver brought the vehicle to a stop.'
Defence senior counsel Marjorie Farrelly said: 'She was in an alcoholic state. She has written a letter of apology to the injured party. There is a report from the probation services.
'Undoubtedly, this is a serious offence and the injured party would be affected by what happened.
'The accused has a chaotic lifestyle. She did not have a first conviction until 40 years of age.
'On the night in question, to put if very mildly, she very unwisely after drink, was driving [one of the two young men] home.
'Her feeling was that this happened in a split second. The intentionality of it was in the moment. She expresses remorse quite strongly. She expresses that to the probation service and in her letter. She is taken aback at her own behaviour. She entered a signed plea of guilt at the earliest opportunity.'
Judge Dermot Sheehan noted from the victim impact statement that the injured garda 'wondered how it would end and whether he would survive. Every day he lives in pain — he wakes in pain, walks in pain and goes to bed in pain.'
