A MAN who killed a garda after hitting him with a car has claimed he was only trying to get away.
Jamie McGrenaghan, who is charged with the manslaughter of Garda Robbie McCallion, said he spotted a gap when gardaí tried to block his escape route and “went for it”.
Mr McGrenaghan (19), struck Garda McCallion (29), in the early hours of March 26th, 2009, after he and another man had stolen a car at Tara Court in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
The garda, a talented footballer who played with his native Mayo, died in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on April 7th.
Mr McGrenaghan’s defence team yesterday argued Mr McGrenaghan panicked on the night of the tragedy and was merely trying to escape.
Letterkenny Circuit Court heard how McGrenaghan and friend Cathal Dunleavy had been drinking in several pubs in the Fanad and Kerrykeel areas before driving to Letterkenny.
They went to see a car which was for sale at Tara Court but while there spotted another car, a white Toyota Corolla, which Dunleavy decided to steal. The men returned later at 4am and took the Toyota Corolla.
After being arrested, Mr McGrenaghan admitted he had run down Garda McCallion but said he did not mean it. He initially denied remembering hitting Garda McCallion at all but later admitted he did.
Judge John O’Hagan said he will sum up the case today and will ask the jury to give its decision in the case.