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Garda dragged along road by reversing car, court hears

Two men appeared in Dublin District Court today on charges arising from the incident
Two men appeared in Dublin District Court today on charges arising from the incident

A garda was dragged along for 200 metres, hanging out of the window of a reversing car while being repeatedly punched, a court has been told.

Two men appeared in Dublin District Court on charges arising from an incident in the city centre on Wednesday in which the garda suffered "relatively minor" injuries.

Jonathan Coelho, aged 28, the alleged driver of the car, was refused bail.

His co-accused and alleged passenger, Federico Carvalho, aged 29, was remanded in custody with consent to bail, with both cases adjourned for a week, pending the directions of the DPP.

Mr Coelho, with an address in Duleek, Co Meath, is charged with recklessly endangering Garda Conor Murray in the incident on Wednesday.

Mr Carvalho of South Circular Road, Dublin, is accused of assaulting Gda Murray, causing him harm.

Both men have denied the charges.

At Dublin District Court, Garda Wayne Carey told Judge Treasa Kelly he was objecting to bail in Mr Coelho's case.

He said when signalled to stop at Cuffe Street at 11.30pm on 31 July, a Chevrolet driven by Mr Coelho sped off and performed a dangerous 360-degree turn, with other vehicles and pedestrians present.

It sped up Kevin Street on the wrong side of the road before performing a u-turn and crashing at St Luke's Avenue.

As Gda Murray tried to gain entry to the car, it was alleged the car reversed away at speed and Gda Murray was dragged through the window into the vehicle and assaulted, while his legs were hanging out.

He was dragged in this position for 200 metres, before being kicked from the vehicle.

The car collided with a wall and it was alleged Mr Coelho fled.

Garda Carey pursued and apprehended him. 

It was alleged that while he was being dragged along, Gda Murray was repeatedly punched to the head and body.

Applying for bail, defence solicitor Michael French said Mr Coelho was denying the charge and was presumed innocent.

Mr Carvalho strenuously denied the charge. He was also presumed innocent, Mr French added.

Judge Kelly refused bail in Mr Coelho's case. She granted Mr Carvalho bail with an independent surety of €750, of which €250 has to be lodged in cash.

Both men were remanded to appear in Cloverhill District Court on 9 August.