Man admits endangering Garda in Bundoran on Christmas Day

A man has admitted swerving his car towards a Garda patrol car during an incident in Bundoran on Christmas Day.

John Martin Ward appeared at Donegal Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to two separate charges.

Ward, of Cuirt Cora, Tuam, Co Galway, pleaded guilty to both a charge of endangerment and also dangerous driving.

The endangerment charge is contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

He is charged that he intentionally or recklessly engaged in conduct, to wit drove a Toyota Avensis in a manner that included swerving towards the official patrol car being driven by Garda Ronan Gallagher with full lights activated and while driving at speed, which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.

He was also charged and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on the same occasion.

He is charged that at Ardfarna, Bundoran, he did drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in a manner (including speed), which having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including the condition of the vehicle, the nature, condition and use of the place and the amount of traffic which then actually was or might reasonably be expected then to be therein) was dangerous to the public or was likely to be dangerous to the public.

Ward spoke only to confirm his guilty plea to both charges.

His barrister, Mr Colm Smyth SC, said his client wanted to deal with the matters as quickly as possible.

Judge John Aylmer remanded the accused for sentence later in this court session.