Jury begins deliberations on endangerment of garda case

THE jury in the trial of a Limerick teenager accused of the reckless endangerment of a female community garda when he allegedly drove a stolen car at her, has begun its deliberations at the Circuit Criminal Court. 

The trial of the 17-year-old teenager, who denies the charge, heard evidence from a community garda who thought she would be killed in the incident on May 23, 2012. 

Garda Niamh Keogh, who is assigned to the O’Malley Park area of Southill, was on foot patrol in the area shortly before 4pm on May 23, 2012, when she heard a car engine being revving violently near the Castle Oaks View area.

A few moments later, she saw the car coming towards her as she walked near the Southill area centre. The car U-turned and sped off in the opposite direction but returned again a short time later. 

The driver, it is alleged, who was then 16, was “pressing on the accelerator in a violent manner” before driving straight towards her, she told the court. 

Garda Keogh’s was giving evidence in the trial of the now 17 year-old who is charged with endangerment of the Garda and the unlawful use of a stolen car.

The court was told that she jumped behind a pillar to protect herself and when the car passed, she recognised the driver to be a teenager known to her. 

Brendan Nix, SC for the defence, challenged the jury to consider the evidence of the Garda and question as to whether the garda had enough time to identify and recognise his client who denies the charges. 

The jury of seven women and five men will consider their verdict on the two charges before the court until a unanimous decision is reached.