Drug-driving Longford pharmacist led Gardaí in car chase, crashed and then assaulted garda

A Longford pharmacist who led Gardaí in a high speed car chase with drugs and alcohol in his system and assaulted and injured a garda after he crashed and attempted to get away, has been warned by a judge he needs to come up with 'substantial' compensation in order to avoid a lengthy jail sentence.

Sean Stakelum (42) of Park Road, Longford, pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to assault causing harm on a male Garda, one charge of resisting or wilfully obstructing a peace officer acting in the execution of their duty, dangerous driving, and drug and drink-driving.

Sergeant Gerry Newton of Longford Garda Station said, at around midnight on October 4, 2020, the defendant was observed by Garda Barry Gillespie driving a Nissan Qashqai jeep travelling at speed from the Market Square area of Longford town.

The court heard Garda Gillespie pursued the vehicle across the railway bridge onto Park Road and he he estimated the vehicle almost careered into a wall and he activated int a wall and he activated his blue lights and sirens for the car to stop and he requested back-up assistance.

However, Mr Stakelum failed to stop and Garda Gillespie became involved in a pursuit or high speed chase following the defendant who travelled at speeds of over 100kph in Teffia Park estate and 80kph in Kennedy Drive in an erratic manner and 'repeated his loop again'.

Sgt Newton stated Mr Stakelum continued down Teffia Park in the direction of the Dublin Road on the wrong side of the road and he also drove through red traffic lights and mounted a footpath in the area before he turned left towards Longford town on the Dublin Road.

Sgt Newton said Mr Stakelum attempted to take a right hand turn in the Deanscurragh estate near Lidl but he 'overcompensated' and he subsequently struck and damaged a wall.

Mr Faulkner SC, for the State, said Garda Gillespie remained a safe distance behind the defendant's jeep and he pulled his patrol car in and approached Mr Stakelum who attempted to get back inside his vehicle.

"Fearing that he would try to flee the scene or try to drive off Garda Gillespie attempted to remove the man from the jeep."

Sgt Newton agreed with Mr Faulkner's summary that Garda Gillespie was 'met with resistance' and he held the defendant and brought him to the side of the Garda car and then when he reached for his handcuffs he commenced the process of arrest.

"A struggle ensued and Mr Stakelum then resisted his arrest and he attempted to break free from Mr Stakelum who tried to hold on to him," Mr Faulkner added.

The court heard he ordered the defendant to stop resisting arrest, but Mr Stakelum was “wild and foaming at the mouth”.

Garda Gillespie stated that Mr Stakelum turned and grabbed him and pushed him to the ground with force and he attempted to hold onto the defendant and as he hit the ground he could feel that his right shoulder or his arm was damaged in some way and the pain was severe and he described it like nothing that he had ever experienced before."

The court heard Garda Gillespie, who called for backup assistance from his Garda colleagues, dislocated his shoulder, broke his finger, and missed 18 months’ work.

Two members of the public who observed the defendant and Garda Gillespie struggling assisted the officer and helped him to restrain the erratic driver on the grounds of a nearby national school before his Garda colleagues arrived.

Mr Stakelum was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station where a blood test gave a reading of 196mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, almost four times over the legal limit of 50mg.

The defendant also tested positive for cocaine.

Garda Gillespie, who delivered an emotional victim impact statement, said the assault had a profound impact on his life and he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result.

The officer said he sustained physical injuries including a dislocated shoulder and a broken finger and he was out of work for 18 months after the assault and he now approaches incidents in a different manner and he has missed out on career opportunities.

Garda Gillespie said the assault had a long-lasting and profound impact on his family, but he felt no ill will towards his attacker.

The defendant's barrister, Barry White, said his client is very sorry and his behaviour was unacceptable and there are people who drink too much and do things they deeply regret.

He said Mr Stakelum took part in a GAA county final earlier on the day in question but he was sent off.

Mr White stated his client then went drinking in a pub in Longford afterwards, but he could not get a taxi home, and he then made the ‘ridiculous decision’ to drive.

"His primary intention was to resist Garda Gillespie's endeavour to arrest him, it wasn't a conscious decision to engage in an assault.
"The apology may come late in the day but it is there."

Mr White said Mr Stakelum returned to Longford to open a pharmacy, he was of good character and from a good family and he had no previous convictions.

"He has a business in Longford and the consequences of a conviction for drugs may well have further repercussions as regards his professional body."

Mr White urged Judge Jonathan Dunphy not to jail him for what he called ‘one night of lunacy’ and he said he had no idea why his client changed his legal representation on numerous occasions.

Judge Dunphy stated the defendant is the 'captain of his own ship' regardless of who the representation is and he was “not moved by the status in the community” and his actions.

"I'm looking at the wealth of adjournments in the matter so perhaps I might be somewhat confident to hear whether or not this professional, as you put it, has amassed a substantial amount of compensation over the course of six years.

"If that is not the case I think any application for this court to deal with this in a fashion that doesn't require him to go through the custody door is somewhat beyond belief."

Judge Dunphy said it was 'advisable' that he did not finalise the case immediately as he was only minded to deal with it in one way.
"Nothing that has been presented to me encourages me in any way, shape or form not to imprison this gentleman immediately and for a substantial period of time."

Judge Dunphy decided to adjourn the case on the same bail terms until Thursday, February 19 so that Mr Stakelum could get his affairs in order and properly instruct his legal team about what he was prepared to do in terms of compensation or a token of his remorse.

READ NEXT: Job creation 'urgently needed' as Longford is second highest for working-age people signing on

READ NEXT:  'Fear and terror': Longford pharmacy staff terrified by knife wielding robber