Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda knocked down during high-speed chase with hijacked taxi
Summary
Tony Ward, 40, of Castlecurragh Park, Mulhuddart, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to endangerment, dangerous driving, assault causing harm and unlawful seizure of a vehicle. On 29 August 2017, he and another man hijacked a taxi at 2:45 am, demanding a ride to Ballymun. Ward, wearing blue rubber gloves, forced the driver to stop, then re‑entered the taxi, unbuckled the seatbelt, and threatened the driver with a four‑inch knife. He ordered the driver out, threatened to stab him, and after the driver escaped, Ward slashed the driver's finger. The taxi then drove off at high speed, pursued by Garda Keith Spackman. At Mellowes Crescent, the taxi rammed two Garda cars and struck a Garda, who was knocked down, sustaining a large laceration to his left arm that required 30 stitches. Ward, who had been drinking and had taken cocaine that evening, is aware the incident could have ended differently.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda knocked down during high-speed chase with hijacked taxi. Charges or matters: charges of endangerment, dangerous driving, assault causing harm and the unlawful seizure of a vehicle at locations between Dublin city centre and Finglas on August 29, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 29, 2017 Incident
- December 19th Adjournment
- 2018-10-18 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: charges of endangerment, dangerous driving, assault causing harm and the unlawful seizure of a vehicle at locations between Dublin city centre and Finglas on August 29, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned the matter to allow for the preparation of a report from the probation service and will sentence Ward on December 19th.; Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned the matter to allow for the preparation of a report from the probation service and will sentence Ward on December 19th.
Places mentioned
- Castlecurragh Park
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Ballymun
- Mellowes Crescent
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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