A LIMERICK man, said by Gardaí to be a “leading member of a criminal organisation”, has been granted bail in connection with a high speed chase on Saturday night.
Liam Keane (31) of Greenhills Gardens, Ballysimon, appeared before Limerick District Court last Monday on nine charges relating to road traffic offences and a further charge of recklessly endangerment by driving on the wrong side of the N18 dual carriageway while trying to evade Gardaí.
He is alleged to have hit a car, causing minor injuries to the occupants, and was also charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop for Gardaí.
Opposing bail, Garda Dean Landers said that Liam Keane was a “leading member of a criminal organisation” and he didn’t believe he would abide by any bail conditions.
“He is a volatile individual,” he added.
Outlining the nature of the allegations, he said Keane was seen driving a Mercedes car at John Carew Park by members of the armed Regional Support Unit (RSU) at around 6.15pm on Saturday.
He failed to stop and, during a subsequent pursuit, he drove at speed against oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the N18 dual carriageway.
According to Garda Landers, he “put a lot of motorists at risk and clipped one vehicle”.
The people in that car were treated in hospital for what was described as “soft tissue” injuries.
Defending solicitor Ted McCarthy said there was no evidence that his client represented a flight risk and he was willing to undertake not to drive if released on bail.
Following an objection to some of the Garda evidence, Judge Timothy Lucey commented that the evidence before the court was “only an allegation” and that the “presumption of innocence” applies.
After hearing the Garda objections, Judge Lucey said he was granting bail, subject to a number of conditions.
In addition to not driving any vehicle, Liam Keane was ordered to sign on at a Garda Station on a daily basis, obey a nightly curfew and be contactable at all times.
Sergeant John Moloney asked that the case be adjourned to June 10 for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
