Ireland Case No. 26628Endangerment; dangerous driving; no insurance · Co. Longford · 22 Mar 2021
Man sentenced for endangerment and dangerous driving in Longford
On 22 March 2021, William Lawrence, a 36-year-old man from Co Cavan, drove a grey Peugeot at approximately 80km/h in a 13-minute pursuit through Longford town after Gardaí John Hanley and Ronan Duffy attempted to stop him. Garda Hanley's hand was caught in the driver's side window as the car moved forward, and the vehicle crashed into a wall near a creche in Ardnacassa. Twenty-two empty cans of Carlsberg were found in the car and Lawrence's blood alcohol reading was 235mg per 100ml. Lawrence pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment, two counts of dangerous driving and no insurance at Longford Circuit Criminal Court in October 2021, and was sentenced in May 2022 to four and a half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended for four years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Oct
4 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 May
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- On 22 March 2021, William Lawrence, 36, of Cloncovid, Kilcogy, Co Cavan, drove a grey Peugeot saloon at approximately 80km/h in a 13-minute pursuit through Longford town after Gardaí John Hanley and Ronan Duffy attempted to stop him.
- Garda Hanley's hand was caught in the driver's side door window as the car moved forward, and the vehicle crashed into a wall near a creche in Ardnacassa.
- Twenty-two empty cans of Carlsberg were found inside the car and Lawrence's blood alcohol reading was 235mg per 100ml of blood, described as almost five times over the legal limit in some reports and ten and a half times over in others.
- Where
- The pursuit went through O'Connor Park, St Mel's Road, Ballinalee Road, Ardnacassa estate and Ard Aoibhinn estate in Longford town.
- When
- The incident occurred on 22 March 2021.
- Charges
- Lawrence pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment, two counts of dangerous driving and no insurance at Longford Circuit Criminal Court.
- In court
- The case was heard at Longford Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Keenan Johnson, who described the episode as a suicidal mission and arguably the worst dangerous driving case in his ten years on the bench.
- Sentence
- Lawrence was sentenced to four and a half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended for four years.
- Other details
- Lawrence was on bail at the time of the incident and is a father of two.
- Garda Hanley suffered serious injuries and has not returned to duty since the incident.
- Lawrence told Gardaí he had been drinking for two days and could not remember the incident due to his level of intoxication.
- Investigation
- A forensic collision investigation found no skid marks at the scene.
95 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí Ronan Duffy and John Hanley attempted to intercept the vehicle as it sped off along St Mel's Road. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe accused drove through a junction onto Ballinalee Road. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatGarda Hanley tried to grab the keys from the ignition and his hand got caught in the window. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe car crashed into a wall near a creche outside Longford Women's Link in Ardnacassa. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatLawrence sustained serious injuries including a dislocated hip and broken ankle. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- what22 empty cans of Carlsberg were found in the car after the crash. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí Ronan Duffy and John Hanley attempted to intercept and stop the vehicle as it sped off along St Mel's Road. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe accused, who was on bail at the time, drove through a junction onto the Ballinalee Road. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGarda Hanley tried to grab the keys from the ignition and his hand got caught in the window as the car moved forward. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe high-speed chase left a garda in hospital. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatWilliam Lawrence is 36 years old and lives at Cloncovid, Kilcogy, Cavan. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatLawrence is a father of two. (longfordleader.ie)
- what22 empty cans of Carlsberg were found strewn across the inside of the vehicle. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatLawrence's blood alcohol reading was 235mg per 100ml of blood. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe car involved was a grey Peugeot. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe car crashed at high speed into a wall just yards from a local creche. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatA forensic collision investigation found no skid marks at the scene. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe incident lasted a total of 13 minutes. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatLawrence said he was suffering from depression and substance addiction at the time of the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatLawrence told Gardaí he had been drinking for two days before the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatGarda Hanley said he feared for his life and has not returned to work since the incident. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGarda Duffy exited the patrol car and signalled to the driver to stop while Garda Hanley attempted to pull the keys from the ignition. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe accused drove up onto a kerb forcing Garda Duffy to jump out of the way, and Garda Hanley's hand became caught in the driver's side door window. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatLawrence was almost five times over the legal alcohol limit. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí John Hanley and Ronan Duffy came across the accused reversing out at speed from a local housing estate. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe chase lasted a total of 13 minutes. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe grey Peugeot crashed at high speed into a wall just yards from a local creche. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGarda Hanley's hand became caught in the driver's side door window, almost dragging him along the road. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGarda Duffy had to jump out of the way when the accused drove up onto a kerb. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe car mounted a number of kerbs on the wrong side of the road in the Ardeevan area. (offalyexpress.ie)
- what22 empty cans of Carlsberg were found inside the car (rte.ie)
- whatBlood alcohol reading was 235mg per 100ml of blood (rte.ie)
- whatThe reading showed Lawrence was ten-and-a-half times over the legal limit (rte.ie)
- whatThe vehicle was a grey coloured Peugeot saloon (rte.ie)
- whatThe pursuit lasted 13 minutes (rte.ie)
- whatThe car crashed into a wall just yards from a local creche (rte.ie)
- whatGarda Hanley's hand was caught in the driver's side door window and almost dragged along the road (rte.ie)
- whatLawrence rammed the patrol car in what Garda Hanley said was an intentional manoeuvre (rte.ie)
- whatLawrence drove at speeds of approximately 80km/h with pedestrians on both sides of the road (rte.ie)
- whatGarda Hanley suffered serious injuries and has not returned to duty since (rte.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatLawrence said he could not remember the incident due to his level of intoxication and had been drinking for two days (rte.ie)
- whatWilliam Lawrence was found with 22 empty cans of Carlsberg inside his car after the chase. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatHis blood alcohol reading was 235mg per 100ml, ten and a half times the legal limit. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe high-speed chase lasted a total of 13 minutes. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatHe was sentenced to four and a half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended for four years. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatGarda Hanley suffered serious injuries and has not returned to duty since the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe accused was travelling at approximately 80km/hr during the chase. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe accused told gardaí he had been drinking for two days beforehand and could not remember the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- what22 empty cans of Carlsberg were found in the car when gardaí removed Lawrence (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHis blood alcohol reading was 235mg per 100ml of blood, 10.5 times over the legal limit (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe high-speed chase lasted 13 minutes before he crashed into a wall near a local creche (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe was driving a grey Peugeot saloon (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe was travelling at approximately 80km/hr with pedestrians on both sides of the road (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe rammed the onrushing patrol car in the Ard Aoibhinn estate (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe told gardaí he could not remember the incident and had been drinking for two days (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe is a father of two (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereGardaí were alerted to a suspected drink driver in the O'Connor Park and Great Water Street areas. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereGardaí were alerted to a suspected drink driver in the O'Connor Park and Great Water Street areas of Longford town. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereLawrence was taken by ambulance to Tullamore's Midland Regional Hospital. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe pursuit went down St Mel's Road towards a junction along Ballinalee Road and into the Ard Aoibhinn estate (rte.ie)
- whereLawrence was taken by ambulance to the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore (rte.ie)
- whereThe chase went through O'Connor Park, St Mel's Road, Ballinalee Road, Ardnacassa estate and Ard Aoibhinn estate in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereHe was taken by ambulance to Tullamore's Midland Regional Hospital (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at various locations in Longford town on 22 March 2021. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe court hearing took place on 28 January 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 22 March 2021 (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA forensic collision investigation report found no skid marks at the scene. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeWilliam Lawrence, 36, of Cloncovid, Kilcogy, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe State would seek discussions with the DPP regarding two further counts of endangerment. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeLawrence was charged with two counts of endangerment, dangerous driving, no insurance and a petrol drive off. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeLawrence pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment, two counts of dangerous driving and no insurance (rte.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment, two counts of dangerous driving and no insurance. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeWilliam Lawrence pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment, two counts of dangerous driving and no insurance (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtLawrence pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe State would seek further discussions with the DPP on two further counts of endangerment. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtLawrence was remanded on continuing bail to 11 January 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded on continuing bail to a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on 11 January 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtLawrence was remanded in custody until 17 May 2022 for preparation of a probation and welfare report. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Keenan Johnson indicated Lawrence was facing a 20-year driving disqualification. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Keenan Johnson described the episode as a 'suicidal mission' and arguably the worst dangerous driving case he had encountered in ten years. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtSgt Jarlath Nohilly gave evidence at the hearing. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtCCTV footage was played to the court showing the car coming into contact with the pursuing patrol car before the crash. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Keenan Johnson described the episode as a 'suicidal mission' and arguably the worst dangerous driving case he had encountered in ten years on the bench. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Johnson described Lawrence's blood alcohol reading as 'bordering on alcohol poisoning'. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Longford Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Keenan Johnson (rte.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceLawrence was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended for four years (rte.ie)
- sentenceHe was sentenced to four and a half years in prison with 18 months suspended for four years (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused was on bail at the time of the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherDefence counsel said Lawrence suffered from a history of depression. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherSenior defence counsel John Shortt said his client suffered from a history of depression. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherWilliam Lawrence is a father of two. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherLawrence told Gardaí he could not remember the incident due to his level of intoxication and had been drinking for two days beforehand. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherLawrence revealed he had been suffering from depression and substance addiction at the time. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherLawrence is the father of two (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 May2022Drunk driver found with 22 empty beer cans in car after high speed garda chase in the Midlands
Sentencing details: four and a half years in prison with 18 months suspended for four years. Garda Hanley suffered serious injuries and has not returned to duty since. Judge Keenan Johnson described the accused as 'out of control'.
convicted, William Lawrence, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Lawrencevictim, John Hanley, male, irish (judged from name)John Hanleyvictim, Ronan Nevin, male, irish (judged from name)Ronan Nevinvictim, Garda Duffy, male, irish (judged from name)Garda Duffy - 26 May2022Drunk driver found with 22 empty beer cans in car after high speed garda chase in Longford jailed for three years
Adds detail on the chase sequence, the 22 empty Carlsberg cans, the 235mg/100ml blood alcohol reading, Garda Hanley's serious injuries and inability to return to duty, the judge's comments, and the specific sentence structure (4.5 years with 18 months suspended for four years).
convicted, William Lawrence, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Lawrencevictim, John Hanley, male, irish (judged from name)John Hanleyvictim, Ronan Nevin, male, irish (judged from name)Ronan Nevinvictim, Garda Duffy, male, irish (judged from name)Garda Duffy - 26 May2022Driver almost 11 times over legal limit is jailed
Provides full detail of the sentencing hearing, including the sequence of events during the 13-minute pursuit, the blood alcohol reading of 235mg/100ml, the 22 empty Carlsberg cans found, Garda Hanley's serious injuries and inability to return to duty, and the judge's remarks.
suspect, William Lawrence, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Lawrencevictim, John Hanley, male, irish (judged from name)John Hanleyvictim, Ronan Duffy, male, irish (judged from name)Ronan Duffy - 30 Jan2022Man found with 22 empty beer cans in car following high speed chase in Midlands remanded in custody
Details of the remanding hearing at Longford Circuit Criminal Court, including evidence from Sgt Jarlath Nohilly, CCTV footage, Lawrence's blood alcohol reading of 235mg/100ml, his statement about depression and substance addiction, Garda Hanley's victim impact statement, and Judge Keenan Johnson's comments describing the incident as a 'suicidal mission' and the worst dangerous driving case in his ten years on the bench.
victim, John Hanley, male, irish (judged from name)John Hanleyvictim, Ronan Duffy, male, irish (judged from name)Ronan Duffyaccused, William Lawrence, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Lawrence - 28 Jan2022Man found with 22 empty beer cans in car following high speed Longford garda chase remanded in custody
Remand hearing details: Lawrence remanded until 17 May 2022; 20-year driving disqualification indicated; Judge Keenan Johnson called it a 'suicidal mission'; 22 empty Carlsberg cans and 235mg/100ml blood alcohol reading revealed; Garda Hanley's victim impact statement; Lawrence's statements about depression and two days of drinking.
accused, William Lawrence, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Lawrencevictim, John Hanley, male, irish (judged from name)John Hanleyvictim, Ronan Duffy, male, irish (judged from name)Ronan Duffy - 16 Oct2021Man in high speed car chase in Midlands pleads guilty to two counts of endangerment
Reports the guilty plea to two counts of endangerment at Longford Circuit Criminal Court, details of the chase including Garda Hanley's hand being caught in the window, 22 empty Carlsberg cans found, the accused being on bail at the time, and that the State would consult the DPP on two further counts of endangerment. Lawrence was remanded on continuing bail to January 11, 2022.
accused, William Lawrence, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Lawrencevictim, Ronan Duffy, male, irish (judged from name)Ronan Duffyvictim, John Hanley, male, irish (judged from name)John Hanley - 14 Oct2021Longford man in high speed car chase pleads guilty to two counts of endangerment
Reports the guilty plea to two counts of endangerment; details the chase sequence including Garda Hanley's hand getting caught in the window; 22 empty Carlsberg cans found; State to consult DPP on two further counts; Lawrence remanded on continuing bail to 11 January 2022.
victim, Ronan Duffy, male, irish (judged from name)Ronan Duffyvictim, John Hanley, male, irish (judged from name)John Hanleyaccused, William Lawrence, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Lawrence