Man who left for UK after 2003 car chase to be sentenced

By Claire Henry

A man who was arrested and charged in 2003 will be sentenced later this year for the unauthorised taking of a car and reckless endangerment.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Barry Lysaght (46), formerly of Charleville, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to one count of reckless endangerment and one count of the unauthorised taking of a car at a location near the South Circular Road on March 16, 2003.

Garda Damien Coleman told Aideen Collard, BL, prosecuting, that on the day in question, he was on patrol with now-retired Garda Michael Kiely at 12.16 am when they saw a car being driven in an unusual manner on Parnell Road.

The gardai activated the patrol car’s blue lights, and the car, driven by Lysaght, mounted the footpath, coming to a stop before accelerating and driving off.

The car continued through red lights and narrowly avoided colliding with an oncoming taxi.

The car attempted to ram the patrol car on several occasions. The car continued on to South Circular Road, breaking a red light and again narrowly missing a pedestrian.

The court heard that Lysaght drove the car into a cul-de-sac, and when the gardai left the patrol car, he then tried to ram the car. 

While gardai were attempting to remove Lysaght from the car, he kicked out at both of them and spat blood in the face of Gda Kiely.

A woman who was seated in the passenger seat was also arrested and charged as a co-accused.

Gda Coleman told the court that upon Lysaght’s arrest, it was discovered that the car had been stolen earlier from outside a bingo hall on the Crumlin Road.

Both gardai attended hospital for medical treatment but were able to return to work a few days later.

The car, which had been hot-wired, was returned to the owner a few days later.

Lysaght was questioned, charged and released on bail. He then left Ireland for the UK. He returned briefly in 2016 when a book of evidence was served on him.

He again left Ireland for the UK and returned earlier this year, and a warrant for his arrest was executed in May of this year.

Gda Coleman agreed with Sam Friel BL, defending, that Lysaght was intoxicated at the time of this offence and was also in the throes of addiction.

The garda agreed with counsel that on the day in question, his client was in Dublin with a child who was attending Crumlin hospital.

Mr Friel said Lysaght has €100 in his prison account, which he is willing to give to both gardai as a token of his remorse.

Gda Coleman asked that this money be donated to the Little Blue Hero’s charity.

Counsel said Lysaght is one of thirteen children and grew up in difficulties where drinking was present in the home.

He said his client offers his apologies to both the gardai and the car owner.

He asked the court to take into account that his client has not come to the attention of the garda over the past four years.

Judge Martina Baxter adjourned the case for finalisation in order for a Governor’s report and urine analysis to be carried out.

Lysaght will be sentenced on October 29 next.