‘Life changing’ injuries for Garda after drug dealer tries to flee

A Garda suffered serious neck and back injuries while giving chase to a Donegal drug dealer, who was attempting to evade arrest while in possession of over €17,000 worth of cocaine.

Detective Sergeant Gerry Farry was dragged through a hedge and plunged five feet into a field as he attempted to apprehend Robert Orr on April 12, 2021.

Orr, who has 56 previous convictions, will be sentenced on Friday after pleading guilty to the possession of a controlled drug with the intention of selling it or otherwise supplying it to others.

Letterkenny Circuit Court heard details of how Detective Sergeant Farry, who was attached to the Division Drugs Unit, had to receive treatment in a spinal unit for what were described as ‘life changing injuries’.

Detective Sergeant Farry, who was present when the case was heard in court, was off work for 12 months following the incident at Hollands, Ballindrait, Lifford.

Detective Sergeant Farry suffered serious injuries to his neck and back, shattered his wrist - which also required surgery - and suffered facial injuries and a chest injury.

On the day in question, a drugs task force was carrying out patrols in the Letterkenny Garda District targeting individuals who were believed to be in the ‘upper echelons’ of the drugs trade in Letterkenny.

Garda Anthony Maren told Ms Patricia McLaughlin BL, prosecuting, that he and Detective Sergeant Farry stopped a blue Vauxhall Vectra at 5.25pm. Orr, a 37-year-old of Abbey Park in Manorcunningham, was a front seat passenger in the vehicle, which was being driven by a female.

Orr exited the vehicle and jumped through a hedge into a field with Detective Sergeant Farry dragged through as he placed his hand on Orr’s shoulder. Orr got to his feet and was observed discarding a white package as he ran off.

Robert Orr. (North West Newspix)

Orr has not been charged in connection with the injuries suffered by Detective Garda Farry. Garda Marren said Detective Sergeant Farry was ‘making an attempt to apprehend him lawfully’ when he was dragged through the hedge and fell. “Mr Orr was trying to evade his capture,” Garda Marren said.

Orr ignored verbal commands from the Gardai to stop, but was caught by Garda Marren and arrested before being taken to Letterkenny Garda Station. The white package, which contained a compacted power substance, was recovered and later verified by Forensic Science Ireland as being 248.8 grammes of cocaine, valued at €17,416.

While Orr made admissions when interviewed by Gardai, he declined to say who had given him the drugs or who they were being taken to as he was concerned for the safety of his family.

“I am only a courier,” Orr told investigating officers.

The court was told that Orr has 56 previous convictions, dating between 2002 and 2017, 26 of which are for road traffic offences. Nineteen of Orr’s previous convictions relate to public order offenses, two of which are for failing to comply with the directions of a Garda, while he has two convictions for escaping from lawful custody and one for the possession of drugs.

Orr was put in the witness box and told the court that he wanted to apologise to Detective Sergeant Farry.

Mr Peter Nolan BL, barrister for Orr, said his client panicked and attempted to run away. Mr Nolan said Orr, a father-of-four is a ‘poorly educated individual’ who has ‘limited insight into his behaviour’ and whose work record is ‘patchy’.

The court heard that Orr began using cannabis when he was aged 10 and started taking cocaine at the age of 17. Mr Nolan told the court that Orr has been substance free for two years and has been in a ‘very supportive’ relationship since 2015 having previously been married for a short time when he was 16.

Judge John Aylmer adjourned the matter until Friday, May 12, in order to consider a probation report.