Courts / Dublin / Report

Court upholds conviction of man who sped away from garda

Summary

In a 2017 Court of Appeal decision, the conviction of 21‑year‑old Eric Harcourt was upheld. Harcourt had been found guilty in 2016 of endangerment and unlawful use of a vehicle after he accelerated a car in a cul‑de‑sac in Darndale, brushing a Garda and fleeing. He received a four‑year sentence, with the last 18 months suspended. Harcourt appealed, arguing that the trial judge had erred by refusing to adjourn the case to allow a technical witness and the Garda to cross‑examine. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, held that the trial was fair, noting that the Garda's absence did not prejudice the proceedings and that the lack of DNA evidence was known to the defence. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the original conviction and sentence intact. Eric Harcourt pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court upholds conviction of man who sped away from garda. Charges or matters: endangerment and the unlawful use of a vehicle in Darndale, in the capital on September 23, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• September 23, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 5, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-03-07 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report