Defendant left woman with a punctured lung by crashing into her car after stealing batteries
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A TWENTY-year-old man has been remanded in custody until 21 January for a probation report after a court heard he stole car batteries and was involved in a collision that left a woman with a punctured lung.
Luke Flynn, 78 Cois Dara, Tullow Road, Carlow appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court charged with trespassing, theft and dangerous driving.
Evidence was given that on 28 November 2025, Mr Flynn entered the backyard of a private residence on the Laois-Carlow border without permission. He then took four car batteries from the yard and put them in his Ford van.
The court heard that he was disturbed by the owner of the house and while trying to leave the scene there was a collision with a vehicle driven by a woman who lived there. The woman suffered a punctured lung as a direct result of the collision and was hospitalised for a week.
The court was told Mr Flynn has one previous conviction for an imitation firearm, for which he was issued a fine of €400 last year.
Defence counsel Eamonn O’Moore BL said the imitation firearm was an Airsoft gun that is legal to possess in the UK.
He added that the Airsoft gun was in Mr Flynn's car when he took the ferry from the UK to visit family in Ireland.
In mitigation, Mr O’Moore said his client was interviewed on site by gardaí and was co-operative, making helpful admissions.
He explained that his client has lived in the UK for the past nine years and was back in Ireland visiting his two older sisters.
“He never attended school as a child,” said Mr O'Moore,
He added that the defendant was “gainfully employed in construction work in the UK.”
“This (incident) was very stupid … I have been instructed to offer his apologies,” said the barrister, who explained that the defendant has remained at his sister’s house since he was arrested.
“Obviously, these are very tragic unfortunate circumstances … there is no shying away from it,” said Mr O’Moore.
Referring to the medical report on the injured party, Judge Carthy said: “The facts are quite stark, a punctured lung.” She added that the case had already come before her on 3 December with an objection to bail and at that time she had refused bail, ruling that he be remanded in custody.
“I am loath to finalise this without giving this gentleman every opportunity,” she said, adding that she would have to consider a custodial sentence.
The defendant was remanded in custody until 21 January, when a probation report would be ready.
