Cathal Dunleavy
A THUG who stole the car which killed Garda Robbie McCallion in Letterkenny today pleaded guilty to driving a car at another Garda.
Cathal Dunleavy (23), from Meentagh, Glenvar, Kerrykeel, Co Donegal, admitted driving an Opel Corsa car at Garda Patrick Geraghty at Milltown, Kerrykeel on October 18 last year.
The incident followed a high speed car chase from Letterkenny to Fanad.
Prosecuting barrister Patricia McLaughlin told the court that the DPP wished to give full facts in the case later this week including the showing of a 20-minute video of the car chase.
Dunleavy was jailed for three years in June 2010 for stealing the car which was driven at Garda McCallion on March 26, 2009. He was on bail at the time of that offence.
His co-accused Jamie Grenaghan was later jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driving.
In court today, Dunleavy pleaded guilty to endangering the life of a Garda, 12 counts of dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen of breath.
The full charges were:
1. Endangerment by reversing a silver Opel Corsa in the direction of a Garda Patrick Geraghy which created substantial risk of death or injury.
2. Dangerous driving in Letterkenny.
3. Dangerous driving at Barrack, Ramelton.
4. Dangerous driving at Ballaghdearg, Letterkenny.
5. Dangerous driving at Ballykelly, Ramelton.
6. Dangerous driving at Ray, Rathmullan
7. Dangerous driving at Main Street, Rathmullan
8. Dangerous driving at Glebe, Rathmullan
9. Dangerous driving at Kerrykeel.
10. Dangerous driving at Kinnegar Rathmullan
11. Dangerous driving at Kerrykeel
12. Dangerous driving at Glenvar, Fanad
13. Dangerous driving at Glenvar, Fanad
14. Failing to provide a specimen of breath
15. Driving without insurance
16. Driving whilst disqualified
Also before the court was a co-accused Gary Gibbons of Glenvar, Kerrykeel, who faced three charges.
He was accused of causing criminal damage by smashing the window of a Garda car, throwing items at a Garda car which could have caused injury and allowing Dunleavy to drive his car.
Both men, who were in custody, were remanded to appear again before the court later this week for sentencing.