Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda attack accused said he drove off because he was uninsured

Date
2020-09-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

During the third day of the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Jonathan Coelho (29) and Federico Carvalho (31) were heard by a jury about an incident on 31 July 2019 in which Garda Conor Murray was dragged by a car that reversed at speed. Coelho told the court that he had driven off because he had no insurance, claiming he had never had trouble with police before and that his only mistake was not having insurance. He denied punching or kicking the Garda and said he would never attack police. He also said the accelerator was stuck after the crash, causing the car to reverse, and that he was not pressing it. Carvalho, a passenger, said he repeatedly urged the driver to stop and that he was terrified. He denied hitting the Garda and said he would never hurt anyone. Jonathan Coelho pleaded not guilty. Federico Carvalho pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda attack accused said he drove off because he was uninsured. Charges or matters: charges of assault causing harm to Gda Murray of July 31, 2019 at St Lukes' Avenue, Dublin 8; a number of charges of dangerous driving. Procedural stage: trial

When:

July 31, 2019 Incident
2020-09-03 Publication

Why: The driver of a car which reversed at speed, dragging a garda along with it, told officers after his arrest that he drove off because he had no insurance. CNI source report

Case subjects

Federico Carvalho

Defendant

Charges: charges of assault causing harm to Gda Murray of July 31, 2019 at St Lukes' Avenue, Dublin 8; a number of charges of dangerous driving (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Jonathan Coelho

Defendant

Charges: charges of assault causing harm to Gda Murray of July 31, 2019 at St Lukes' Avenue, Dublin 8; a number of charges of dangerous driving (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty