Thomas Connors sentenced to 4.5 years for crashing into detective during traffic stop, fleeing, and injuring him.

Thomas Connors, 40, of Limerick, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with six months suspended, for deliberately hitting Detective Garda Shane O’Neill with his car on February 10, 2025, in Castletroy. Connors, who pleaded guilty to endangerment and failing to stop, struck O’Neill during a traffic stop, sending him up to three meters away, then reversed toward the injured officer before fleeing. The garda sustained shoulder and back injuries and has been unable to return to duty. Connors, with a history of 29 road offenses and prior convictions for robbery and burglary, received a reduced sentence due to his guilty plea, remorse, apology, and rehabilitation efforts. He must also complete a 12-month probation supervision order.