Man charged with a series of driving offences described as a 'danger to the public' remanded

A man who was described as 'a danger to the public' has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with a series of driving offences.

Eoin Dorney (36) of Swilly Gardens in Derry appeared charged with various taking and driving away vehicles and other driving offences. 

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 

The court heard that police were told about a vehicle being taken on July 24.

The vehicle was found at Killea in the Republic and subsequent tests revealed the defendant's DNA to be on the steering wheel. 

The owner of the vehicle said the defendant had never been in the car. 

At interview Dorney denied all the offences. 

The court also heard that on July 8 police received a report of a vehicle being taken from a car park. 

The police were told that the defendant had been present at the address and shortly after he left it was noticed the keys and the vehicle was missing. 

Police attended Dorney's address and a shadow was said to have been seen trying to get away from police. 

Dorney admitted he had been in the vehicle in question on several occasions. 

On another occasion on May 6 a vehicle was reported stolen and again Dorney was said to have been on the property. 

The owner was allegedly in contact with the defendant and told him he was going to call the police. 

Dorney was said to have told him if he called the police he would 'burn your house down.' 

The court heard then that police were on duty near Craigavon Bridge in regards to vehicle crime. 

The defendant was said to have been identified sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle in Spencer Road. 

Police approached and Dorney was said to have carried out 'a high risk u-turn' in which he collided with a police vehicle before speeding off towards the city side and making his way up Abercorn Road. 

The court heard that on September 25 at 2.45am police on patrol on the Lone Moor Road and saw Dorney in a vehicle. 

Police were aware that Dorney had several arrest warrants against him and tried to stop him. 

Dorney was said to have sped off at speeds up to 80mph on the Letterkenny Road before crossing the border. 

The owner of the vehicle told police she had been asleep when Dorney had allegedly taken the vehicle. 

Bail was objected to due to the risk of re-offending and the danger to the public. 

An officer said that Dorney had 33 previous convictions and police believed that if released he would continue to drive. 

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client had been on bail at an address outside the city and list that address and 'panicked'. 

He said he was denying all the charges and could be managed with conditions. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that there was far too great a risk in releasing Dorney. 

He said that it was 'a racing certainty he would commit further offences' if released. 

The judge said he was refusing bail and the defendant could apply to the High Court but he was recommending 'this man should not get bail.' 

Dorney was remanded in custody to appear again on October 12.