Armed support unit on alert at Limerick court in alleged hit and run case

MEMBERS of the Garda Armed Support Unit were on alert in Limerick District Court today (Tuesday, September 8) in the remand hearing...

MEMBERS of the Garda Armed Support Unit were on alert in Limerick District Court today (Tuesday, September 8) in the remand hearing for a man charged in connection to a hit-and-run.

The court was cleared for the hearing of charges against 36-year-old Jason McDonagh with an address in Leeds in the UK, with three armed members of the special unit in the courtroom.

All but family members, the media, gardai and the legal profession were told to leave the courtroom during the hearing.

It is alleged he was stopped by Gardaí on the Ballysimon Road on Monday, September 7, the court heard.

He was brought to Henry Street Garda Station and charged this morning with involvement in a hit and run, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and criminal damage.

Sergeant Denis Waters also told the court that there were an additional five charges pending direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions on indictment to the Circuit Criminal Court for scheduled offences against the State.

He told Judge Valerie Corcoran that the DPP had directed that these matters would be heard in the ordinary courts, rather than the Special Criminal Court where allegations under the Offences Against the State act are normally heard.

A book of evidence has already been served in those matters, the court was told.

Judge Corcoran remanded Mr McDonagh in custody until Tuesday, September 15 to appear again via video link.