Man to face trial over alleged car ramming incident

A Mullingar man is to stand trial accused of endangerment and multiple counts of criminal damage to cars during two alleged car ramming incidents in the town last summer.

Anthony Dinnegan (52) with an address at Leney, Ballinalack, Westmeath was served with a book of evidence at Mullingar District Court in connection to incidents on the N4 at Bunbrosna, Westmeath and four days later at Harbour Street, Mullingar.

Sgt Paul McNally said he had served the book of evidence on Mr Dinnegan and Judge Bernadette Owens was told the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for the accused to stand trial on the seven charges it contained.

Five of the seven counts concerned allegations of criminal damage to cars, four of which stemmed from the alleged August 2 incident and two further section 13 endangerment charges arising out of both incidents.

Defence counsel, Christina Burke, BL, applied to vary Mr Dinnegan’s bail as her client provides care for his elderly parents. Ms Burke said he was seeking to call to his parents one day a week, and the accused addressed the court directly after revealing his brother had passed away just two weeks earlier.

Mr Dinnegan said that owing to his current bail conditions, which prohibited him from entering Mullingar, he was unable to visit him prior to his passing at 56 years of age.

Sgt Sheila Kenny, for the state, said the state had “huge concerns” should Mr Dinnegan be allowed re-enter Mullingar due to a “simmering feud” that was still of much unease to gardaí.

On hearing arguments from the state and Mr Dinnegan’s defence, Judge Owens said she was inclined to adopt a “humanitarian approach” to the application by agreeing to vary bail, subject to conditions.

They included stipulations that would allow Mr Dinnegan to attend his parents’ address from 10am to 2pm twice a week and capacity to attend pre-agreed medical appointments with his GP subject to 48 hours’ notice being given to gardaí.

Mr Dinnegan was remanded on continuing bail to Mullingar Circuit Court on March 4.