A Nigerian man drove down a busy pedestrianised street at 60 m.p.h. knocking down shoppers like "skittles in a bowling alley", Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
The incident happened in October last year on Henry Street, Dublin. Witnesses described a Ford Escort turning from O'Connell Street and the engine being revved. Horrified onlookers were thrown into the air before the car ploughed into the back of a construction van.
Sgt Michael O'Sullivan said one witness described the scene as like a bowling alley with people being knocked over like skittles.
Ten people required hospital treatment following the incident, with two suffering serious injuries.
Jacob Odubajo(36), Clonliffe Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of reckless endangerment and two of dangerous driving causing serious harm.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne adjourned the case until October 16th to read the 10 victim impact reports as well as a detailed psychiatric report on Odubajo. He was remanded on continuing bail.
Odubajo got down on his knees outside the courtroom to beg for forgiveness from one of his victims, Mr Paul Darigan (17), who had travelled from Wexford to attend the hearing. Mr Darigan suffered serious head and leg injuries, which were described as life-threatening. A brain scan had discovered a contusion.
Odubajo was restrained by security staff from nearby shops.
His sister Nicola, told Mr Patrick Gageby SC, for Odubajo, that he was a quiet, gentle man who was seriously affected by the deaths of his mother, brother and grandfather in the months leading up to the incident.