Ireland Man sentenced over Dundalk pursuit and patrol car crash
Cormac Murphy (22), a south Armagh man of St. Killian's Park, Whitecross, pleaded guilty at Dundalk court to nine offences arising from a pursuit and crash involving a Garda patrol car in Dundalk, Louth. The court report dates the offending to February 6th 2022, though it also says the date of the offending is not stated. Gardaí tried to stop his car on Park Street, but he failed to stop, and the car crashed into a patrol car at the Red Cow roundabout, injuring two gardaí. Judge Dara Hayes imposed sentences totalling three and a half years, suspended in full on his entering a bond to be of good behaviour, along with disqualifications and fines. The sentencing was heard on Friday 24 November 2023 and reported on 26 November 2023, which is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 Nov
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The accused is named in the court report as Cormac Murphy, aged 22, of St. Killian's Park, Whitecross.
- The crash injured two gardaí.
- When
- The court report gives the offending date as February 6th 2022 (February 6th last year), but also states that the date of the offending is not stated.
- Where
- He took a friend's BMW to pick up his girlfriend in Dundalk.
- He drove onto the Red Cow roundabout, where his car hit the front passenger side of a patrol car.
- Cause
- He had drunk seven pints of beer before taking the car, and told gardaí he had panicked when he took off at speed.
- Investigation
- Gardaí activated the blue lights on a patrol car to stop him on Park Street, but he failed to stop.
- Charges
- He pleaded guilty to nine offences, including endangerment, dangerous driving, unlawful use of a vehicle, drink driving, and driving without insurance or a driving licence.
- In court
- Judge Dara Hayes presided over the sentencing, which was heard on Friday 24 November 2023.
- Sentence
- Sentences totalling three and a half years were imposed and suspended in full on his entering a bond to be of good behaviour.
- He was disqualified from driving for four months, concurrent, for the dangerous driving offences.
- He was fined €400 for driving without insurance and €600 for drink driving.
- He received a consecutive one-year disqualification for drink driving.
- Other details
- He had no previous convictions.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí activated the blue lights on a patrol car to stop him on Park Street, but he failed to stop. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatHis car crashed into a patrol car, injuring two gardaí. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereHe took the car to pick up his girlfriend in Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereHe drove onto the Red Cow roundabout, where he hit the front passenger side of a patrol car. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- causeThe man had drunk seven pints of beer before taking a friend's car. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to nine offences. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtJudge Dara Hayes presided over the sentencing. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceSentences totalling three and a half years were imposed and suspended in full on his entering a bond to be of good behaviour. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceHe was disqualified from driving for four months, concurrent, for the dangerous driving offences. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceHe was fined €400 for driving without insurance and €600 for drunk driving. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceHe received a consecutive one-year disqualification for drunk driving. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherHe had no previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Nov2023Dundalk court: Man drank seven pints of beer before crashing into patrol car
Court report of the sentencing: names the accused and gives the nine offences, the pursuit route, the sentences, fines and disqualifications. The article does not state the date of the offending.