A homeless shelter carer, who allegedly pursued and twice rammed a garda car in Dublin city centre resulting in two officers being hospitalised, has been granted bail with a range of strict conditions.
The gardaí were taken to the Mater University Hospital after the incident on Friday just after midday and were discharged that night.
Investigating gardaí arrested Declan Murphy (48), of The Orchard, Greenwood, Ayrfield, Dublin, and he was detained at Mountjoy Garda Station, where he was charged with two counts of criminal damage and one for dangerous driving at North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.
The accused was then held and brought before Judge Brendan Toale at Dublin District Court on Saturday.
Garda Sergeant Nigel Petrie told Judge Toale that Mr Murphy replied "no comment" when each charge was put to him.
He objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case and possible witness interference.
Garda Sergeant Petrie alleged that at about 12.20pm, the accused approached a patrol car carrying Garda Philip Carroll and Garda Shane Barrett, who was driving.
The patrol car had been stopped at traffic lights when the accused attempted an "unwanted approach" and interaction with Garda Barrett, who knew him and declined. The court heard he told the accused to speak to his sergeant.
It was alleged Mr Murphy said, "Wait and see what happens so," and the garda car moved on when the lights turned green.
The contested bail hearing was told that the driver of a black 2020-reg Renault Clio intentionally rammed the garda car from the rear before, pursued it, and rammed it again on the driver's side.
The court heard it caused "significant damage", and the two officers were taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment for neck and back pain.
Sergeant Petrie said the collisions pushed the garda car onto the path, and he feared for the safety of gardaí and members of the public.
Garda Carroll told the bail hearing he heard loud revving, and there was a collision from the rear, which "flung" him forward before a second ramming.
Garda Carroll described it as "an attempt to stop us and get us off the road". He claimed the two cars "became interlocked.
He said he got out, enquired about what happened, and alleged that the accused "pointed at my colleague and said, 'Ask him'."
Both officers told the bail hearing that they were in a lot of pain afterwards and prescribed medication, and Garda Carroll also said he had whiplash.
Garda Barrett told Judge Toale that 15 to 20 seconds after he drove on, he heard revving behind and saw the Renault Clio "ramming us from the rear".
The accused waited at the scene and gave gardaí his licence.
The judge also heard there had been an ongoing issue between the accused and Garda Barrett, and it was feared he could approach him again.
The accused could face additional charges.
Mr Murphy did not address the court, but his solicitor, Sean McCormack, said his client, who works part-time, would abide by any conditions.
He also told the court, "My instructions are it will be a matter that will be contested".
Judge Toale granted bail in his bond of €100 and ordered him to provide his phone number to gardaí, sign on daily at Raheny Garda Station, stay out of parts of north Dublin except for work or visits to his parents and have no contact with Garda Barrett, directly or indirectly.
He ordered him to appear again on January 4th, pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
