Wednesday 28 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. 4248Endangerment (driving at a garda) · Co. Limerick · 10 Feb 2025

Thomas Connors jailed for 4½ years after hitting garda with car and reversing toward him in Castletroy

Thomas Connors, 40, was sentenced to 4½ years' imprisonment (with the final six months suspended) after pleading guilty to endangerment and failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision for striking Det Gda Shane O'Neill with his Audi TT and reversing toward him in Castletroy, Co. Limerick, on 10 February 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatConnors struck Det Gda Shane O'Neill with a car and then reversed toward him as he lay injured on the ground (irishtimes.com)
  • whatConnors was driving the Audi TT with another man wearing a balaclava in the front passenger seat (irishtimes.com)
  • whatConnors and his accomplice sped off on the wrong side of the road and the wrong way around a roundabout (irishtimes.com)
  • whatConnors had 29 previous convictions for road traffic offences, robbery and burglary (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Brú na Gruadán, Castletroy, Co. Limerick (irishtimes.com)
  • whereConnors' address is Ballyart, Brittas, Co. Limerick, previously Brindle Hall, Charleville, Co. Cork (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 10 February 2025 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeConnors pleaded guilty to one count of endangerment (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeConnors pleaded guilty to one count of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeNolle prosequi was entered for charges including failing to keep car at scene, failing to report the collision, criminal damage to the Garda patrol car, and dangerous driving (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe sentencing judge was Colin Daly (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceConnors was sentenced to 4½ years with the final six months suspended (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge directed a 12-month probation service supervision order after the sentence (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Dec2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man jailed for four years after hitting garda with car and reversing toward him

    Sentencing report: Connors received 4½ years (headline 6 years reduced) with 6 months suspended and a 12-month probation supervision order. Det Gda O'Neill was injured in the shoulder and back and has been unable to return to duty. Nolle prosequi entered for additional charges including dangerous driving and criminal damage.

    convicted, Thomas Connors, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Connorsvictim, male, irish (judged from name)