Motorist pursued by gardaí across Carlow and Kilkenny now facing jail
The driver took off when he saw the garda checkpoint
A YOUNG man who led gardaí on a dangerous high-speed pursuit through multiple Co Carlow towns and into Co Kilkenny, requiring the deployment of a helicopter and traffic support unit, has been warned that he faces a custodial sentence. Jake O’Neill (23) appeared before Carlow District Court, where the court heard details of the incident that occurred on 17 May of this year.
Garda Brian Wilkinson’s evidence was read to the court that he was operating a checkpoint outside Bagenalstown at 10.10pm when he noticed a blue Volkswagen perform a u-turn before the checkpoint, “appearing to evade” it.
Gardaí followed the vehicle through the junction of Church Street to Station Road and activated their blue lights to signal to the driver to pull over, but the defendant “continued to drive in a dangerous manner” towards Bagenalstown.
Garda Wilkinson described Mr O’Neill as “driving erratically and at speed”. Gardaí called for assistance from the traffic unit while continuing to follow the car in the direction of Bunclody.
The pursuit continued through Ballon and Fenagh as the driver “successfully evaded” gardaí and ignored several attempts to get him to stop and pull over.
When the pursuit reached Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, the garda traffic support unit and a helicopter became involved in the operation. Mr O’Neill eventually abandoned the car and fled the scene on foot. He was apprehended and arrested shortly afterwards and brought to Carlow Garda Station, where he was processed.
A blood sample was taken which showed Mr O’Neill had a blood/alcohol level of 51mg/ml. When the car was searched, approximately €200 worth of cocaine was found in the seats.
The court heard that Mr O’Neill, from Salome Place, Moneenroe, Castlecomer, had a previous conviction from November 2024 for driving on a learner’s permit without an accompanying driver.
Solicitor Chris Hogan said his client “asked to apologise to the court and the gardaí” and “fully accepts his driving was dangerous”. He added that this incident was “out of character” for Mr O’Neill.
Judge Geraldine Carthy said it merited a custodial sentence because the incident “was shocking”. Prior to sentencing, she directed that a probation report be prepared for the end of January.
