A 30-YEAR-OLD man at the centre of a Garda car chase in Ennis town centre on Wednesday was yesterday jailed for contempt of court for one week for harassing a witness while giving evidence.
At Ennis District Court yesterday, Patrick Byrnes of Knockalough, Kilmihil, west Clare, appeared on four charges arising from incidents in Knockalough and Ennis on Wednesday.
Mr Byrnes was arrested by gardaí in the Market Street area of Ennis at 4.30pm on Wednesday after the Kia Sorrento he was driving crashed into a bollard.
Mr Byrnes is also charged with producing a large kitchen knife during a dispute while taking a car at Lakeview House, Knockalough, earlier that day.
He is also charged with unlawfully using a car without the permission of its owner, Denis Considine, on the same date, and dangerous driving in the Market Street area.
Mr Byrnes is also charged with refusing to provide a specimen of blood or alcohol at Ennis Garda station on May 19th.
Garda Donal Corkery, opposing bail, said it was likely there would be more serious charges brought. Mr Byrnes had failed to turn up to court three times, and said one of the occasions was May 25th, 2005.
Mr Byrnes shouted from his seat in court that this was lies.
Judge Mangan refused bail and remanded Mr Byrnes in custody to Ennis District Court next Friday. He also jailed Mr Byrnes for one week for interrupting and harassing a witness, Garda Corkery.
