A man, charged in connection with a violent carjacking – in which a woman was struck on the head and driven away by her attacker – has been remanded in continuing custody. writes David Raleigh.
Gardai said, the accused man, Ray McDonagh, told them after his arrest: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do it”.
Mr McDonagh, (27), of Ard Alainn, Bruree, Co Limerick, appeared before Limerick District Court Tuesday (July 5), on charges of assault causing harm to Carolann Keenehan, and, with taking her red Nissain Qashqai, on June 12 last.
The carjacking is alleged to have started in the carpark of the Brothers of Charity, Mulgrave Street, Limerick.
The vehicle was found 12 hours later submerged in water at Seafield, Quilty, Co Clare.
Ms Kennehan, aged in her mid 30s, was allegedly approached by Mr McDonagh and struck on the head with a crutch.
She was then allegedly driven away from the scene by McDonagh, but she later exited the stolen vehicle at the Ballysimon Road a few miles away.
Detective Garda Barry O’Grady, Henry Street Garda Station told the court he arrested Mr McDonagh at 11.40am the following day at Greenhills Road, Garryowen, Limerick.
Mr McDonagh lashed out at a later court hearing, threatening gardai and prison officers, telling them: “I’ll kill the whole lot of ye bastards.”
During the hearing on June 21 last, Mr McDonagh complained he did not wish to physically appear in court for future court hearings, indicating instead that he wanted to appear via video link.
“I don’t want to be in this place,” he told a judge Mary Larkin.
Mr McDonagh broke down a number of times in court promoting a swift rebuke from judge Larkin.
She told Mr McDonagh: “Behave like an adult.”
“You’re like a 16-year old who got caught with his hands in the cookie jar…Now, pull yourself together,” the judge added.
“I can assure you, your crying doesn’t cut any mustard in my court,” she also told the accused.
Today Mr McDonagh was remanded in continuing custody, to appear before Limerick District Court again on July 26, for DPP directions.
