Prison sentence for Donegal man who escaped garda custody in hospital

A man who was hospitalised after jumping from the first floor of the Mill Park Hotel and resisting arrest has been sentenced to seven months in prison for then escaping garda custody at Sligo University Hospital. 

He was also sentenced to five months in prison for a charge of dangerous driving. 

Jake Barret, 23, of Glen Road, Annagry before a recent sitting of Ballyshannon District Court, having been brought from Castlerea Prison. 

The court heard that Barret had gone through extremely traumatic experiences, and had since made huge strides to change his life. Judge Éiteáin Cunningham told the defendant that he was ‘at a crossroads’ in life, and it was up to himself to continue on a positive path upon release. 

Barret admitted dangerous driving at Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, on September 22, 2025. The offence is contrary to Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act.

He further admitted resisting or obstructing Garda Gerard Curtis in the execution of his duty. That offence took place at the Mill Park Hotel, Donegal Town on the same date and is contrary to Section 19(3) of the Criminal Justice Act (Public Order) Act, 1994. 

The defendant pleaded guilty to escaping from Sligo University Hospital, The Mall, Sligo, while being in lawful custody there. That offence also took  place on September 22, 2025, and is contrary to Common Law.

Inspector Dermot Treacy told the court that on the date in question, gardaí observed a white Audi A4 being driven by the defendant. 

“The defendant failed to stop, forcing vehicles to take evasive action,” said the inspector. “Gardaí lost sight of the vehicle, but later sighted it at the Mill Park Hotel.”

Staff at the hotel directed gardaí to the lobby, and Barret then jumped from the first floor into the bar area in an effort to evade gardaí. 

He resisted gardaí but was arrested and conveyed to Ballyshannon Garda Station, from where he was brought to Sligo University Hospital for x-ray due to an injury. 

“He couldn’t be handcuffed due to his arm being in a sling,” said Inspector Treacy. “He escaped, ran up the Mall and escaped in the grounds of ATU. He was later arrested.”

The court heard that Barret had numerous previous convictions.

Solicitor Rory O’Brien reminded the judge that she had encountered Barret in her previous role as presiding judge in District One which included Letterkenny District Court. 

The solicitor outlined major trauma that Barret had suffered, which led to PTSD and a total disregard for his own safety. 

“Mr Barret has asked me to thank gardaí for what they did in arresting him,” said Mr O’Brien. 

“He was suffering from mental health difficulties which contributed to his inability to cooperate, to compose himself, to think rationally due to an absence of various mediation for which he was prescribed. 

“He evaded gardaí at the Mill Park due to complete and utter panic. He jumped, he could have hurt himself. The garda used reasonable force and my client suffered injury as a result.”

The solicitor said Barret had decided to run away from hospital, and was detected a couple of hours later and brought into custody. A subsequent bail application was refused, and Barret has been in custody since that time. 

Mr O’Brien said his client had done ‘exceptionally well’ in prison, engaging in educational opportunities and not coming to any adverse attention. 

The solicitor said that unusually with a man with this pattern of offending behaviour, he did not suffer from addiction.

“He doesn’t drink, doesn’t do drugs, at all,” said Mr O’Brien.

He referred to the trauma that his client had suffered, and a subsequent ‘slump’ caused by prescribed medication. 

A change of medication led to a positive change in behaviour, during which time Barret completed the Pro Social Driving Course and secured employment. However, he came off the medication. 

“He found himself on a spiral, worse than he ever was before,” said Mr O’Brien. 

The solicitor said Barret had a plan in place for when he left prison, with accommodation and employment secured elsewhere in the country. 

A sentence which he is serving from District One will finish on April 14, the court heard. 

In appealing for leniency, Mr ‘Brien said: “He is doing extremely well on appropriate medication. He looks better, sounds better and is more engaged. The issues that applied before that have dissipated.”

He added: “We are all built differently. He has done everything right in prison. He is keen to finalise these matters, to get out and rebuild his life.

“His mother has been in court every time supporting him. She knows that the struggle for Jake is real. 

“He has had to deal with a lot. He is sorry for his behaviour. He has the support network, has everything in place.”

Judge Cunningham said the matters were of a very serious nature, adding that the previous convictions in District One and the matters before her in District Two had required significant garda resources. 

However, she acknowledged the difficulties Barret had experienced, and that he was receiving psychiatric care in prison.  

For escaping custody, the defendant was sentenced to seven months in prison backdated to September 23 last. He was sentenced to five months from the same date for dangerous driving, and was disqualified from holding a licence for four years. The charge of obstructing a garda was taken into consideration. 

Judge Cunningham told the defendant: “Upon release it is very important that you continue to engage with the mental health services. Counselling is something you should explore on an ongoing basis in order to deal with the trauma you have endured. 

“It is a crossroads now in your life. Only you can make the decision on what path you go down upon release.

“I wish you well.”