Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for man who drove van at garda at high speed

Date
2017-02-24
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Balbriggan
County
Dublin

Summary

Cornelius Price, 35, of Meath, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for endangering a Garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on 22 January 2014. He drove a Ford van at high speed, forcing Garda Gary Dillane to jump out of the van's path to avoid serious injury. The offence was aggravated by the fact that it was committed against a Garda in the execution of duty. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the impact on the Garda and considered mitigating factors such as Price's educational achievements and voluntary work while in custody. She backdated the sentence to the conviction date of 17 February. Price had previously spent ten and a half months in custody on a separate charge of threatening to damage Garda property, from which he was later acquitted. The court also heard that the incident had caused Garda Dillane to consider resigning, though he ultimately decided to remain in the force. Cornelius Price pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man who drove van at garda at high speed. Charges or matters: recklessly engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to Garda Gary Dillane. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Case subjects

Cornelius Price

Convicted Person

Charges: recklessly engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to Garda Gary Dillane (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; She imposed a sentence of three years imprisonment which she backdated to the date of his conviction on February 17th last.

Places mentioned

Garda Station
  • the incident at Balbriggan Garda Station
  • Balbriggan
  • garda at Balbriggan Garda Station
  • car park of Balbriggan Garda Station
Facility
  • Rockleigh House
Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence

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