A 27-year-old man replied 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it' when he was charged in connection with a car jacking at a day service for people with intellectual disabilities at the weekend, Limerick District Court has heard.
Raymond McDonagh of Ard Alainn, Main Street, Bruree, Co Limerick has been granted bail after being charged with stealing a car and assaulting a woman in the car park of the Brothers of Charity facility on Mulgrave Street in the city last Sunday.
Detective Garda Barry O'Grady said the 27-year-old was arrested at 11.40 yesterday morning at Greenhills Road, Garryowen a short distance for the scene of the alleged incident.
The court heard he replied, 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it', when he was formally charged at Henry Street Garda Station at 11.10 last night.
Detective O'Grady outlined how it's alleged the defendant approached the woman, who is in her mid 30s, in the car park of the Brothers of Charity Day Service centre on Mulgrave Street.
He attempted to grab her keys and a struggle ensued before it's alleged the woman was struck across the head with one of his crutches.
He then got into the driver's seat as the woman got into the back of the car in an attempt to stop him. He drove off out the Ballysimon Road before letting her out at the B&Q Roundabout after she pleaded with him to let her out.
It's alleged he the drove the car out to Quilty in County Clare where he pushed it into the sea.
The gardaí expressed fears that he would commit further serious offences if released on bail.
Defence solicitor John Herbert said he had suffered a recent traumatic event when he was dragged under a car and his client was in a state of anguish at the time of the alleged incident.
The 27-year-old leaning on his crutches, throughout the bail application started sobbing when Judge Mary Larkin said she was granting bail.
However she admonished him saying 'crying in my court does not cut any mustard'.
McDonagh has been granted bail subject to a number of conditions including that he sign on twice daily at Bruff Garda Station and 3,000 of a 6,000 euro independent surety be lodged in court.
He's been remanded in custody with consent to bail until the 21st of June.
Fiona McGarry, Clare FM, first for local news.
