Man in custody accused of Offaly assaults and double carjacking

A MAN is in custody accused of the attempted hijacking of cars in Edenderry.

Shane Purcell (26), Knockdrin, Rhode has also been charged with attacking the owners of two cars, plus causing damage to other vehicles, including one belonging to the gardai.

Charges before Tullamore District Court allege the offences were committed on October 26, 2026 at Dublin Road, Edenderry and when Mr Purcell appeared before Judge Andrew Cody by video link he was represented by Aisling Maloney, solicitor.

Sergeant Justine Reilly, court presenter, sought a two-week remand in custody for directions from the DPP and applied for Mr Purcell to appear in court again by video link.

Judge Cody told the accused the DPP had not yet decided if the charges would be heard in the District Court or the Circuit Court going forward.

He therefore was acceding to the prosecution's application and ordered that Mr Purcell appear in court by video link on November 18.

According to charges brought by Detective Garda Joseph Bradley, Mr Purcell is accused of the attempted unlawful seizure of two vehicles, a 2019 Offaly registered car and a 2020 Kildare registered BMW.

He is accused of assaulting the owner of the BMW, causing her harm, and is also accused of assaulting the owner of the other car.

Mr Purcell is further accused of damaging three other vehicles. Specifically, one charge relates to alleged damage to the rear door of a garda vehicle, another alleges he damaged the handle on the passenger door of a vehicle belonging to a woman and a third charge alleges damage to the front wheel arch of a vehicle owned by a man.

(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)