Man to stand trial accused of causing ‘substantial risk of death’ to garda

A man in his 20s is to stand trial accused of causing “substantial risk of death” to a garda when driving at him at speed and causing him to be carried on the bonnet of his car, before being thrown to the ground.

Tommy Dinnegan (20) of 3 The Green, Bun Daire, Kinnegad, Westmeath, was served with a book of evidence at last week’s sitting of Mullingar District Court arising from an incident at Heathfield, Kinnegad, Westmeath on April 10, 2025.

The particulars of that charge allege Mr Dinnegan engaged in intentional or reckless conduct when approached by Garda Sean O’Mara in the Heathfield estate, Kinnegad.

The Section 13 endangerment charge which, on conviction in the Circuit Court, carries a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison, alleges Mr Dinnegan drove a 04 registered VW Golf “at speed” and forced Garda O’Mara over its bonnet, and then exited the estate.

The charge alleges that the Roads Policing Unit officer was thrown off the bonnet while “narrowly avoiding being struck by an oncoming vehicle”. The charge also alleges Mr Dinnegan then proceeded to flee “at speed on the wrong side of the road” on Kinnegad main street in the direction of Bun Daire.

The vehicle was allegedly later found abandoned at Boreen Bradach, Kinnegad, Westmeath.

The incident “created a substantial risk of death or serious harm”.

Garda Mervyn Henson gave sworn evidence of having served the book of evidence on Mr Dinnegan and Sgt Orla Keenan confirmed DPP directions were for the accused to be sent forward to stand trial.

Louis Kiernan, defending, said there would be no bail application and Mr Dinnegan consented to being remanded in custody to the present sittings of Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court.

He said that application was being made on the basis that there were two other unrelated matters also before the Circuit Court and a “certain application” concerned a possible residential programme.

Mr Kiernan also applied for legal aid to cover a junior and senior counsel to represent his client, saying the charge was a “serious matter” and involved an allegation where a “serious injury” had been inflicted on a serving member of An Garda Síochána.

Judge Bernadette Owens approved that request and gave Mr Dinnegan the alibi warning concerning his requirement to notify the state within 14 days of any alibi evidence he wished to rely on in his trial.

Mr Dinnegan was remanded in custody to Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court on May 21.