A driver who was assaulted by four men who had hijacked his truck was forced to drive while one of his assailants kicked him in the side and another had his foot on the steering wheel, a court heard.
The evidence was heard at Limerick Circuit Court in the trial of four members of a Limerick Traveller family who pleaded guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle from Mr Willie O'Neill, Newport, Co Tipperary, and to assaulting Mr O'Neill between Castletroy and Arthur's Quay, Limerick, on September 2nd, 2003.
The four are Patrick (27) and Martin Casey (21), both of Old Cork Road, Limerick; and John (29) and James (26) Casey, of Clonlong Halting Site, Limerick.
They had been at a funeral of a relative and were on their way from Anacotty into Limerick when they hijacked Mr O'Neill's lorry and 42ft trailer, the court heard.
Mr O'Neill had pulled up at traffic lights in Castletroy on the outskirts of the city when he saw a man walk up to the driver's door and gesture with his thumb as if he wanted a lift.
Mr O'Neill indicated he could not carry the man but as he turned he saw another person get into his cab from the passenger's door side and shout back to others "We're in".
All four men were arrested shortly afterwards.
Judge Carroll Moran described the hijacking of the vehicle as a "dreadful experience" for Mr O'Neill. He adjourned sentencing until April 19th and asked that probation reports be compiled in the meantime.