Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda punched in face after high-speed chase
Summary
Thomas Doyle, 26, was arrested after a high‑speed chase in Crumlin where he drove a disqualified vehicle, smashed a Garda patrol car's windscreen, and punched Garda John Ryan in the face. Doyle accelerated away from the patrol car, causing smoke from the rear wheels, and later tried to ram the vehicle. The chase ended when Doyle pulled over outside his home on Cashel Avenue, smashed the windscreen, and attempted to block the patrol car's driver from exiting. He then fled back into his house, returned with a bicycle tyre, and struck Garda Ryan, who was then treated for broken teeth at St James's Hospital. Doyle pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and assaulting a Garda on 8 August 2018. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment, with a five‑year driving disqualification and a suspended portion of the sentence. The court noted his 66 prior convictions, primarily for traffic offences, and his low cognitive functioning.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda punched in face after high-speed chase. Charges or matters: dangerous driving and assaulting Gda Ryan causing him harm on August 8, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 8, 2018 Incident
- 2021-05-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: dangerous driving and assaulting Gda Ryan causing him harm on August 8, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The officer, who was a passenger in a marked patrol car, indicated that Doyle should pull over as he knew he was a disqualified driver. Judge Nolan said he thought Doyle's "misbehaviour was too great to allow for him not to go into custody" before he suspended the final 14 months of a two-and-half year sentence.
Places mentioned
- Crumlin
- Cashel Avenue
- Cashel Avenue
- Crumlin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- St James's Hospital
Topics
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