A GLASGOW businessman is due to appear in court in Ireland this week after his bizarre attempt to escape from a court in Cork went wrong and he ran directly into Irish police officers.
James McCarney, 40, from Balmore in Glasgow will make his fourth court appearance in just over a week after he was remanded in custody following his attempt to flee the courthouse in Macroom in County Cork.
His first appearance at Macroom District Court was on two charges of dangerous driving and driving without insurance at Ballinhassig in Cork on February 6. McCarney had been arrested following a two-mile chase by gardai when allegedly fled from a checkpoint.
When he was brought back to court, McCarney was told he would be further remanded and at that point he tried to escape only to charge directly into six gardai, one of whom was assaulted in the resultant encounter.
The Irish Times has reported that McCarney appeared at Bandon District Court on Friday, charged with assault and resisting Garda Willie O’Donoghue in the execution of his duty at Macroom District Court on February 7, and with attempting to escape from Garda custody at Macroom District Court on the same date.
According to the newspaper, McCarney’s solicitor Eamon Fleming confirmed that his client was pleading guilty to all four charges as he was anxious to have the cases disposed of as quickly as possible and he hoped to have all matters finalised.
Inspector Pat Meany told the court he was seeking a short remand in custody to allow for a decision on what charges were going ahead, but Fleming said his client was applying for bail and he thought it most unfair to deprive his client of his liberty when he was willing to plead guilty to the offences and dispose of them promptly.
The lawyer pointed out that gardai had impounded McCarney’s Mercedes car valued at €5000, so they also had security McCarney had apologised for his actions in Macroom courthouse.
The report continued: “Insp Meany said gardai were vehemently opposed to Mr McCarney getting bail, as he reminded Judge Dorgan he had made desperate efforts to avoid capture or to escape custody at Ballinhassig and Macroom, and gardai feared he would not stand trial if not remanded in custody.
“Insp Meany said he would expect that if the court were to grant a short remand in custody of a week, gardai would obtain the DPP’s instruction and be in a position to proceed with the case against Mr McCarney on all four charges next Friday.
“Judge Dorgan noted that Mr McCarney had fled the checkpoint and driven for some 5km with two Garda cars in pursuit, with other Garda cars also tasked to intercept him, while she herself had witnessed his attempt to escape Macroom courthouse on Wednesday.
She refused him bail and remanded him in custody to Bandon District Court on February 16th, but indicated she would allow Mr Fleming to make a fresh application for bail if the State had not received the DPP’s directions and was unable to proceed next Friday.”
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