Thursday 29 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. 9160Endangerment and assault on a garda · Co. Offaly · 23 Jan 2025

Man sentenced to five and a half years after car strikes detective sergeant in Tullamore

On 23 January 2025 on Collins Lane in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Jeffery Moran (36), of College View, Rahan, drove his car at Detective Sergeant David Scahill and knocked him down. Moran was arrested and questioned, then pleaded guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court to endangerment and admitted other offences, including dangerous driving arising from a garda pursuit. On 9 June 2026 he was sentenced to five and a half years in jail, banned from driving for 20 years, and ordered not to contact Detective Sergeant Scahill or his family. A separate hearing on 10 June will consider whether a six-month suspended sentence for drugs offences should be activated.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Jeffery Moran pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment arising from an incident in Tullamore.
  • Moran drove his car at a detective sergeant and knocked him down; one source describes the victim as a garda sergeant.
  • Moran also admitted several other offences, including dangerous driving arising from being pursued by the garda he injured.
Where
The impact happened on Collins Lane in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
When
The incident took place on 23 January 2025.
Cause
Detective Sergeant David Scahill pulled his vehicle across the path of the Audi.
Weapon
The court heard that Moran's driving was dangerous and that he used the car as a weapon.
Other details
  • The detective sergeant sustained soft tissue injuries to the shoulder, arm and leg that were not long-term.
  • Moran had 37 previous convictions.
Investigation
Moran was arrested and questioned and claimed the garda information was hearsay.
In court
  • The case was heard at Tullamore Circuit Court, where the judge said Moran attempted to cause serious injury to the detective and took the law into his own hands.
  • The latest conviction may trigger activation of a six-month suspended sentence imposed for drugs for sale or supply, to be heard on 10 June.
Sentence
  • The judge set the headline sentence at nine and a half years, reduced to seven after mitigation, with 18 months suspended for five years, leaving five and a half years in jail.
  • Moran was banned from driving for 20 years, received a three-month sentence for one of the other offences, and was ordered not to contact Detective Sergeant Scahill or his family.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJeffery Moran pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment arising from an incident in Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatMoran drove his car at a garda sergeant and knocked him down. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe detective sergeant sustained soft tissue injuries to the shoulder, arm and leg that were not long-term. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe impact happened on Collins Lane. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 23 January 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeDetective Sergeant Scahill pulled his vehicle across the path of the Audi. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe court heard Moran's driving was dangerous and that he used the car as a weapon. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationMoran was arrested and questioned and claimed the garda information was hearsay. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Tullamore Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe latest conviction may trigger activation of a six-month suspended sentence imposed for drugs for sale or supply, to be heard on 10 June. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set the headline sentence at nine and a half years, reduced to seven after mitigation, with 18 months suspended for five years. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceMoran was sentenced to five and a half years in jail. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceMoran was banned from driving for 20 years. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceMoran received a three-month sentence for one of the other offences. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceMoran was ordered not to have any contact with Detective Sergeant Scahill or his family. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMoran also admitted dangerous driving offences arising from being pursued by the garda he injured. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMoran had 37 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Moran attempted to cause serious injury to Garda Scahill and took the law into his own hands. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Jun2026
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Garda sergeant 'mowed down' by driver during Offaly high speed chase

    First report of the Circuit Court sentencing. It gives the sentence, the judge's reasoning, the driving ban and the activation of a separate suspended sentence.

    convicted, Jeffery Moran, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jeffery Moranvictim, David Scahill, male, irish (judged from name)David Scahill