Crèche attack hero was holding phone while driving
Carlow courthouse Pic: Michael O'Rourke
A MAN who helped defuse an horrific incident in which three children and their crèche worker were injured appeared before Carlow District Court last week after he failed to pay a fine for holding a mobile phone while driving. Warren Philip Donohoe pleaded guilty to holding a mobile phone on 12 April this year on the Dublin Road, Pollerton Little, Carlow and was summoned to court after he neglected to pay the subsequent fine.
Judge Geraldine Carthy heard that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing the horrific attack by a man wielding a knife at a group of children and their crèche worker in Parnell Street, Dublin in November 2023.
Not many details about how Mr Donohoe (37) tackled the man and, alongside another individual, ensured the children’s safely were revealed in open court but solicitor Joe Farrell handed Judge Geraldine Carthy some documents for her consideration. Mr Farrell told her that at the time Mr Donohoe was sent the fine for holding the mobile phone he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of the Parnell Street incident and had forgotten to pay it.
Judge Carthy struck the matter out after Mr Donohoe paid a €100 donation to the court poor box.
