Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 13534Endangerment · Co. Limerick · 27 Aug 2021

Limerick man sentenced for endangering garda in Childers Road incident

On 27 August 2021 at 7pm on Childers Road, Limerick city, Martin "Sonny" Casey, 34, of Toppins Field Halting Site, Rathbane, Limerick city, was involved in an incident in which a garda was forced to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by a car Casey was driving. Gardaí boxed in the car, and Casey was arrested after leaving through the passenger window. Casey pleaded guilty in May 2025 to endangerment, possession of a slash hook and driving without insurance. On 30 May 2025, Judge Colin Daly at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to four years with the last year suspended, with concurrent terms and a 10-year driving ban, as reported on 5 June 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted29 May
  6. Sentenced5 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Martin "Sonny" Casey, 34, of Rathbane, Limerick city, was involved in endangering a garda by driving a car at him.
  • A garda was forced to take evasive action to avoid being struck by the car Casey was driving.
  • Casey reversed into another vehicle with such force that a BMW was lifted from the ground.
Where
The offences took place on Childers Road in Limerick city.
When
The offences took place at 7pm on Friday, 27 August 2021.
Cause
Judge Colin Daly said Casey, faced with the prospect of being apprehended, effectively used the car as a weapon to try to facilitate his escape.
Weapon
A slash hook was found in the car, and the judge described it as a particularly nasty weapon.
Other details
  • A hammer, a screwdriver and a balaclava were also found in the car.
  • Casey was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence, and the judge said he had 91 previous convictions.
Investigation
  • Gardaí had received a call that Casey was in a grey BMW outside the Maldron hotel, and they boxed in the car.
  • Gardaí broke the driver window, and Casey left through the passenger window and was arrested.
  • The BMW was found to have false registration plates.
Charges
Casey pleaded guilty to endangerment, possession of a slash hook and driving without insurance.
In court
The defence handed in a psychiatric report and two letters of remorse, and Judge Colin Daly adjourned judgment to 30 May.
Sentence
  • Casey was given four years in prison with the last year suspended for endangerment.
  • Concurrent sentences of 18 months and four months were imposed for the slash hook and no insurance offences, and he was disqualified from driving for 10 years.
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCasey pleaded guilty to endangerment, possession of a slash hook and driving without insurance. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatGardaí boxed in the car driven by Casey. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatCasey reversed into another vehicle with such force that the BMW lifted from the ground. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatA garda was forced to take evasive action to avoid being struck. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatCasey pleaded guilty to endangerment. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatCasey forced a garda to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by a car he was driving. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe offences occurred on the Childers Road in Limerick city. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred at 7pm on Friday, August 27, 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred at 7pm on Friday, 27 August 2021. (limerickleader.ie)
  • weaponThe judge said a slash hook is a particularly nasty weapon. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe BMW was found to have false registration plates. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí broke the driver window and Casey left through the passenger window and was arrested. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí boxed in the vehicle driven by Casey. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeCasey was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeCasey also pleaded guilty to possession of a slash hook and driving without insurance. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe defence handed in a psychiatric report and two letters of remorse. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Colin Daly said he would give his judgment on May 30. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceCasey was due to be sentenced for the offences. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceCasey was given four years in jail with the last year suspended for endangerment. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceConcurrent sentences of 18 months and four months were imposed for the slash hook and no insurance offences. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceCasey was disqualified from driving for 10 years. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered the destruction of the slash hook. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherGardaí received a call that Casey was in a grey BMW outside the Maldron hotel. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherA hammer, slash hook, screwdriver and balaclava were in the car. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherNo one was hurt in the incident. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Casey had driven a car with false number plates. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Casey was disqualified from driving at the time and had 91 previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge said a previous endangerment conviction was a particularly aggravating factor. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Jun2025
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick man jailed for a second time for endangering a garda's life

    Reports the sentencing of Casey, who pleaded guilty to endangerment, possession of a slash hook and driving without insurance. The judge imposed four years with the last year suspended, concurrent sentences of 18 and four months, and a 10-year driving disqualification.

    convicted, Martin “Sonny” Casey, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin “Sonny” Casey
  2. 29 May2025
    Convictedlimerickleader.ie, follow-up
    Limerick motorist before courts for endangering life of a garda for the second time

    Reports the guilty pleas, the prosecution evidence of the Childers Road incident, and that sentencing was adjourned with judgment due 30 May. Adds that the car had false registration plates and that tools were found in it.

    convicted, Martin “Sonny” Casey, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin “Sonny” Casey