A man drove "erratically" in front of a funeral procession in Tallaght, Dublin, before attempting to ram gardaí and "weaving in and out of traffic" at 150km/h on the M50, a court has heard.
Michael Casey, 28, was charged with 17 counts of dangerous driving during the alleged chase from St Aidan's Church, Tallaght, to Woodhaven Golf Club, Bray, Co Wicklow, on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Casey, of Hazel Hill, Tallaght "made no reply" when charged, Dublin District Court was told today.
Objecting to bail, Garda Neil Lynch told Judge William Aylmer that officers responded to 999 calls from the public about scrambler motorcycles and a car set on fire at Brookfield Road.
A Public Order Unit also arrived at the scene.
It was alleged that a 2008-reg Audi A3 left St Aidan's Church, "driving erratically in front of the procession".
Garda Lynch's patrol car followed the Audi and was joined in the pursuit by the Air Support Unit.
The garda alleged that the driver had pulled into a Circle K garage, where gardaí attempted to stop the car and got a view of the driver.
According to Garda Lynch, the Audi driver "attempted to ram the patrol car" and then headed southbound on the M50, reaching speeds in excess of 150km/h.
The contested bail hearing was told that Mr Casey allegedly drove on the hard shoulder and across hatch markings. It was also claimed that he was "weaving in and out of traffic".
Garda Lynch explained that he had to disengage from the pursuit at one stage, but his colleagues in the Air Support Unit continued following the Audi.
The court heard that he caught up with the car at the golf club, and that the accused - who was arrested there - had three or four car registration plates.
The judge was told that the man also faces three related charges for driving without a licence or insurance, and unlawfully possessing car registration plates. However, the garda said that more serious charges could be brought.
Defence solicitor Tertius Van Eeden said that there had been a high-profile funeral, and that gardaí had been present.
Garda Lynch maintained that roads had to be sealed off due to the Audi.
The defence pleaded for bail and argued that the objections were weak, but Mr Casey did not address the court or indicate a plea.
Judge Aylmer set bail in his bond of €1,000 and required approval of a €1,500 independent surety.
He must obey conditions, including providing a mobile phone number, and signing on regularly at a garda station if he takes up bail.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court tomorrow.
Legal aid was granted.
