Man given three years for ramming garda vehicle
A young Dublin man who rammed a garda vehicle twice with a stolen car has been given a three-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Ciaran Sands (aged 19) of Foster Terrace, Ballybough, pleaded guilty to stealing a Volkswagen Golf and driving recklessly, ramming a garda patrol car twice in Dublin city centre in the early hours of March 24, 2007.
Judge Desmond Hogan imposed a three-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended.
Garda Tim Doyle told prosecuting counsel, Ms Fiona Murphy BL, that he observed the Volkswagen Golf driving without headlights towards his patrol car near the Buckingham Street and Summerhill junction.
He said the car turned right without indicating and drove at speed towards Guild Street, causing an oncoming ambulance with flashing lights to brake suddenly.
Gda Doyle said he chased the car towards Custom House Quay where it drove recklessly causing drivers to stop their vehicles and in some cases drive onto the footpath to avoid collision.
Gda Doyle said Sands tried to ram his garda car twice after the Volkswagen stalled.
