KILDARE: Garda 'was dragged along road by car'

A man charged in connection with an incident during which a garda was allegedly dragged along the road by a car, sustaining serious head injuries after he attempted to talk to the driver appeared at Naas District Court by videolink.

George Richard Asimionesei, 20, whose address was given as 1 Barrack Court, Rathcoole, faces allegations of dangerous driving, driving without insurance and no driving licence on August 26, 2022, at Barberstown, near Straffan in north Kildare.

It was claimed at a previous court hearing that the garda was carried up to 70 feet by the vehicle as it was driven away at 11.45pm.

Sgt Philip Taylor told the initial court hearing that the gardaí stopped the car being driven by the defendant, who was accompanied by another man.

He added that the vehicle had no insurance and the gardaí intended to seize it.

Sgt Taylor added that the defendant pleaded with the gardaí not to take the car - a UK-registered BMW. It was claimed the vehicle was registered in the United Kingdom but a check with the PSNI indicated that there was no registered owner. Sgt Taylor valued the car at €25,000.

When the garda attempted to switch off the ignition the defendant put the car into gear and drove away and the garda was dragged for between 60 and 70 feet before falling and hitting his head.

The vehicle subsequently crashed, colliding with a wall and a traffic light.

The court heard that the defendant was arrested the following morning, some ten hours later.

Barrister Aisling Murphy noted that the defendant was refused bail in the district court and in the high court.

Sgt Dave Hanrahan said that the case file is with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The defendant was remanded in custody.

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