Driver ‘wanted to kill himself and other road users’

Daniel Carlin was arrested following a three-vehicle collision on the Castlewellan Road, near Clough in Co Down on Tuesday.

One motorist sustained suspected fractured vertebrae while two others were treated for whiplash injuries, a judge was told.

Carlin, a hospital porter from Clonard Gardens in Belfast, faces charges of driving while unfit through drink or drugs, dangerous driving and assaulting a PSNI constable.

Opposing bail at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Belfast, a police officer claimed the defendant poses an immediate risk to the public.

He alleged that Carlin had been behind the wheel of the Ford Focus which travelled at speed on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.

His car collided first with a Volkswagen and then a Skoda coming behind.

Major damage was caused to all three vehicles involved.

Carlin then became aggressive and assaulted a policeman after being taken into an ambulance, it was claimed.

“Throughout his detention he stated that he had deliberately driven into another vehicle in order to kill himself and the other vehicle’s occupants,” the officer said. “The defendant stated that he intends to do this again.”

The court heard Carlin is believed to have acted under the influence of drugs, allegedly showing no remorse for what happened.

According to police he also behaved childishly during interviews by breaking wind and laughing.

Defence solicitor Philip Breen emphasised his client’s clear record and the family support available to him.

“It’s a sad case, clearly something has gone wrong with him in the past number of weeks,” Mr Breen added.

Refusing bail at this stage, District Judge George Conner said: “My concern is that if I release this man without knowing exactly what is in place to help him we run the risk of very serious harm being caused.”

He remanded Carlin in custody to appear again in one week’s time.