Motorist mounted path outside crèche and tried to knock man down, court told

A court heard the door of the crèche was open and children were about to leave when Evan Dawson (23) allegedly drove at the man, who had to jump out of the way.

The case against him was adjourned when he appeared in Dublin District Court.

Mr Dawson, with an address at Newtown Court, Belcamp Lane, Coolock, is charged with endangerment by intentionally driving a car at a man, causing a substantial risk of death or serious harm.

The offence is alleged to have happened at Island Key apartments, East Wall, on November 26, 2020.

Garda Sergeant Michelle Lynch told Judge Bryan Smyth the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being dealt with in the district court on a plea of guilty only.

This was also subject to the judge considering whether to accept jurisdiction and allow the case to remain in the district court.

Outlining the allegations, Sgt Lynch said gardaí took a report at 1.20pm that an Audi A6 estate had mounted a footpath and tried to knock down a member of the public.

When CCTV footage was viewed, it “clearly showed” an Audi mounting the footpath outside a crèche where the door was open and children were about to leave, the court was told.

On the footage, the car was seen driving at a man before he jumped out of the way, Sgt Lynch said.

Mr Dawson was arrested before being charged.

Judge Smyth said he wanted to see the CCTV before deciding on jurisdiction. Defence solicitor Mervyn Harnett said the accused consented to the case being adjourned to a date in June for this purpose.

Mr Dawson was remanded on continuing bail.

The charge against him is under Section 13 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.