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Carer (48) accused of twice ramming Garda car in Dublin remanded on bail

Declan Murphy (48) of The Orchard, Greenwood, Ayrfield, Dublin, was charged with two counts of criminal damage and one for dangerous driving at North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7

Today at 22:09

A CARER, who allegedly drove after and twice rammed a Garda car in Dublin, has been remanded on continuing bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Two gardai were taken to the Mater University Hospital shortly after midday, December 15, after the incident but discharged that night.

Declan Murphy, 48, of The Orchard, Greenwood, Ayrfield, Dublin, was charged with two counts of criminal damage and one for dangerous driving at North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.

A day later, he was granted bail with conditions pending possible additional charges. He faced his second appearance today at Dublin District Court.

Judge Fiona Brennan noted the case was listed for the DPP’s directions to be given.

However, Garda Sergeant Nigel Petrie said they were not yet available, and he sought an eight-week adjournment.

Murphy, a part-time homeless shelter carer, did not address the court.

Defence solicitor Sean McCormack said his client consented to the investigating sergeant’s application. Judge Brennan ordered him to appear again on February 29.

During Mr Murphy’s contested bail hearing last month, Garda Sergeant Petrie alleged that at about 12.20pm, the accused approached a patrol car carrying Garda Philip Carroll and Garda Shane Barrett, who was driving.

The patrol car had been stationary at traffic lights when the accused attempted an “unwanted approach” and interaction with Garda Barrett, who knew him and declined. The court heard he told the accused to speak to his sergeant.

It was alleged Mr Murphy said, “Wait and see what happens so,” and the Garda car moved on when the lights turned green.

The contested bail hearing was told that the driver of a black 2020-reg Renault Cleo intentionally rammed the garda car from the rear, pursued it, and rammed it again on the driver’s side.

The court heard it caused “significant damage”, and the two officers were treated for neck and back pain.

Garda Carroll had told the bail hearing he heard loud revving, and there was a collision from the rear, which “flung” him forward before a second ramming.

Garda Carroll had described it as “an attempt to stop us and get us off the road”. He had claimed the two cars “became interlocked”.

He said he got out, enquired about what happened, and alleged that the accused “pointed at my colleague and said, ‘Ask him’.”

Garda Barrett had said that 15 to 20 seconds after he drove on, he heard revving behind and saw the Renault Cleo “ramming us from the rear”.

Both officers said they were in a lot of pain afterwards and had been prescribed medication, and Garda Carroll had also said he had whiplash.

The accused waited at the scene and gave gardai his licence. The defence solicitor had told the bail hearing his client would abide by any conditions and “it will be a matter that will be contested”.

Mr Murphy had to provide his phone number to gardai. He must sign on daily at Raheny Garda station, stay out of parts of north Dublin except for work or visits to his parents and have no contact with Garda Barrett, directly or indirectly.