Man accused of stealing car gave himself up, court told

A COURT was told yesterday that when a man who had allegedly stolen a car, which later went out of control, realised the consequences…

A COURT was told yesterday that when a man who had allegedly stolen a car, which later went out of control, realised the consequences of his actions, he gave himself up to the Garda.

The car was stolen in Cork city on Monday and later that evening it crashed in the Farranree area of Cork's northside.

At a late night sitting of Cork District Court on Tuesday, Mr David Todd (18), of St Michael's Road, Farranree, was remanded in custody with consent to bail on his own surety of £100 as well an independent surety of £3,000.

Judge Uinsin Mac Gruairc was told that it would be better for Mr Todd to remain overnight in detention as feelings were running high in the area.

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When he appeared before, Judge Mac Gruairc again yesterday, charged under Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act with taking a car without the consent of its owner, Mr Todd's solicitor, Mr Frank Buttimer, asked that the bail conditions be reduced.

The application was opposed by Garda Insp Jim Griffin, who said Mr Todd had left the scene of the crash on Monday and that other charges were pending.

Mr Buttimer said his client did not have a passport, had given himself up to the Garda once he realised the consequences of his actions, although it was 14 hours later, and had no intention of absconding. He was prepared to go on trial for what had happened.

Judge Mac Gruairc ruled out reducing the bail conditions. However, after a further application from Mr Buttimer, he said he was willing to grant bail of £3,000 cash in lieu of a £3,000 surety, if Garda conditions were met.

Insp Griffin said he would agree to the new conditions if Mr Todd appeared daily at Watercourse Road Garda station between 10 a.m. and 6p.m.

Mr Todd is due to appear in court again on Tuesday.