Louth grandfather jailed after high speed chase with armed gardaí
A grandfather who led armed gardaí on a high speed chase has been jailed for 1 year and 3 months when his case was finalised at Dundalk Circuit Court.
Patrick McGuinness (62) was seeking to evade lawful apprehension and what he did “constituted an attack on gardaí”, said Judge Dara Hayes.
The defendant who resided at Mourne Drive, Warrenpoint, Co. Down at the time, and had since returned to Kilkerley, Dundalk to look after his mother, pleaded guilty to charges of endangerment and money laundering following an incident which occurred in 2023.
The court heard that he panicked and drove off after being spoken to by two members of the Garda Armed Support Unit while behind the wheel of a Northern Ireland-registered Vauxhall Insignia parked on a footpath in Ardee.
He rammed the pursuing officers on more than one occasion before ending up in a ditch on the old Ardee to Dundalk road on October 20, 2023.
It was pointed out that the money laundering charge related to cash held by another man in the car.
Evidence was given that the Insignia's wheels began spinning and it drove off. Gardaí attempted to block the car. It hit the rear driver’s side of the Garda vehicle causing the officer to lose control and collide with a wall.
The Insignia failed to stop on activation of the blue lights. It continued onto a mini roundabout then headed towards Dundalk on the N52.
Mr McGuinness drove at high speed, continuously crossing back and forth on each side of the road.
At Mapastown Bridge gardaí drove directly behind him, with the intention of cutting the car off as it slowed on the approach to the bridge. There was no oncoming traffic.
The defendant struck the left side of the Garda car which veered off the road.
The pursuit continued. There was a further attempt to cut off the Insignia at Clonkeehan. As gardaí overtook him, Mr McGuinness cut across and a collision occurred. The Garda car spun, and the Vauxhall came to a stop in a ditch.
No injuries were caused during the pursuit which lasted approximately 25 minutes, one of the officers testified.
Both occupants of the car were arrested. The other man had €1,250 on him.
Patrick McGuinness, who has no previous convictions, made admissions to driving in an interview. He said that he panicked.
It was stated on his behalf that he was formerly a farmer who invested in properties north and south of the border after selling the farm.
He lived with his 84-year-old mother in Kilkerley. He was her sole carer.
Defence counsel James McGowan SC said that his client had 2 children and 5 grandchildren, and has been in a new relationship for 10 years.
References were available from the defendant’s accountant and a Newry solicitor, along with a note from his mother’s GP.
Mr McGowan submitted what happened was out of character.
Judge Hayes had adjourned sentencing to April 20 for arrangements to be made for Mr McGuinness’ mother.
On Monday counsel confirmed that arrangements had been put in place.
Passing sentence, the judge said that aggravating factors were that the defendant was seeking to evade lawful apprehension by gardaí and the duration of the pursuit.
It constituted an attack on gardaí in the course of their duty. There were a number of collisions.
Judge Hayes continued that thankfully neither officer was seriously injured and were able to continue with their duties, including the apprehension of Patrick McGuinness and his co-accused.
This case involved the use of a car in dangerous circumstances. Thankfully, no other road users were there.
It was noted that there were no previous convictions, nor any trouble since, and that Mr McGuinness was the sole carer for his mother.
Concurrent 2-year and 3-month sentences were imposed, the final 12 months suspended, along with a two-year driving disqualification.