One of Limerick’s most senior gardaí suffered a number of injuries after he pursued a gang of youths who had tried to break into his home during an eight-hour crime spree, a court has heard.
Det Garda Supt Jim Browne, of the Limerick Garda division, and his daughter, Niamh Browne, also a garda, came under attack after they tried to arrest four youths who had attempted to break into their home in south Co Limerick, on February 4th.
Limerick Circuit Court heard four youths aged 16 to 21 had stolen three cars and had broken into two houses during an eight-hour rampage before they were finally apprehended. A “violent struggle” ensued when the off-duty gardaí tried to arrest the gang when they crashed the stolen car in which they were travelling.
Det Garda Supt Browne and his daughter pursued the gang, who had tried to break into their home after earlier stealing a case of wine from two miles away.
Appearing in court were Owen Bailey (19), Mulgrave Street, Limerick; Jason Curtin (20), Spittland, Old Cork Road, Limerick; Lisa O’Callaghan (21), Keane Street, Limerick, and a 16-year-old girl who cannot be named because of her age.
Judge Carroll Moran jailed Curtin and Bailey for four years but suspended the final year. He said he would not send O’Callaghan, who had no previous convictions, to jail if she stayed out of trouble and he adjourned her case for 12 months.
Judge Moran adjourned sentencing the 16-year-old girl until February.