Gardai oppose bail for man accused of driving at and striking detective

A man is alleged to have driven towards and hit a detective garda sergeant who was later taken to hospital.

At last week's district court, gardai objected to bail in the case of Jeffrey Moran with an address given in court as the Old Forge, Mountrath but with another address at College View Rahan.

In his evidence in court, Det Sergeant Brian Jennings said that on February 18, 2025, Detective Sergeant David Scahill was on duty in Tullamore when he observed a black Audi A4 acting suspiciously.

His suspicions increased and he signalled to the driver to pull over. The vehicle failed to stop and instead increased speed and drove through Arden View and Arden Vale. Oncoming traffic had to take evasive action to avoid the vehicle. Mr Moran is alleged to have driven through a red light and drove on to Collins Lane.

Det Sergeant Scahill managed to block the car. When he alighted from his patrol car Jeffrey Moran is alleged to have driven towards him hitting the detective and knocking him to the ground.

The car then fled the scene at high speed which created substantial risk of death or serious harm to others. Det Schall was taken to hospital.

The Audi was also seen in Ballycumber and Pullough. CCTV footage identified the vehicle. Mr Moran is also alleged to have booked into a hotel in his mother's name.

In addition Mr Moran is charged with assaulting a man in Shannonbridge on April 1, 2024.He is also charged with being in possession of cannabis and cocaine at College View, Rahan on dates in 2024 and 2025. He was further charged with dangerous driving at various locations in Kilkenny on February 5, 2025.

Gardai objected to bail as they believed Moran would commit further crimes.

Judge Andrew Cody said that Mr Moran was before the court on the most serious of charges.

He remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of €500 cash, independent surety of €5,000 to be approved by the judge of a district court within 24 hours.

Conditions of bail are that Mr Moran is to stay away from Detective Sergeant Scahill, maintain a curfew from 6pm until 8am except to attend medical appointments of which he is to inform the sergeant in charge at Tullamore Garda Station.

He was to hand over all mobile phone numbers to the prosecuting garda prior to leaving last week's court. He is to carry a mobile phone with him at all times and to answer if gardai ring. He is to provide a location where he can be available to meet with the gardai within 15 minutes of being contacted.

Mr Moran is due to appear again at Tullamore District Court on February 26.