Man who drove stolen car at Gardaí in north Louth jailed

A man who forced three gardaí to jump out of the way of a stolen car in north Louth, after he drove at a member of the public who had tried to block him in, has been jailed for four years and nine months at Dundalk Circuit Court.

The court previously heard Stephen McDonagh (31) with an address at the time at Lios Dubh, Armagh Road, Dundalk drove dangerously through Ravendale and escaped across the border on January 3rd last year but was linked to a burglary in the area after dropping his bail bond at the scene.

The original sentencing hearing in June was told the occupants of the first house disturbed the defendant and his co accused and while nothing was taken, McDonagh's bail bond was found outside the family home.

Another house was entered in the Ballymakellett area, where a black Kia Ceed was stolen from the driveway after its key was stolen.

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The owner and his son followed the stolen car towards St. Mary's Church, and at one point the victim's son tried to block it on the R174 at Dulargy, and got out, but the defendant drove at him, forcing him to jump out of the way, before he clipped the man's car.

He went on to drive towards three gardai, who were forced to take evasive action to avoid being hit and he also collided with a garda van before he escaped across the border.

He was arrested on Bridge Street the next morning, by gardai who spotted him in the driver's seat of a stolen Landrover Defender.  

He was also charged with two counts of assault after spitting blood at two gardai - which landed on their clothing, and on one officer's face.

The Defendant, who has 248 previous convictions, began taking drugs at the age of 14.

The Senior Defence Counsel said his client had very little recollection of the offending and his life and drug use and abuse was out of control, but he is hopeful of becoming free of drugs over the course of his time in custody.

Judge Dara Hayes, in finalising the case last Thursday, noted the Probation report found the father of two had little remorse for his offending, other than the assault of the gardai.  

He imposed sentences totalling six years and nine months, backdated to when he went into custody in January last year, with the final two years suspended on him entering a good behaviour bond and placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months post release.