A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged in relation to an incident at a graveyard in Dundalk, Co Louth, at the weekend.

James McDonagh (28) with an address at Glenmore Park, Muirhevnamore, Dundalk was brought before Drogheda District Court on Tuesday.

He faced two charges. They were that he took a car without the consent of the owner, contrary to section 112 of the Road Traffic Act, on July 21st at St Patrick’s Cemetery, Dowdallshill, Dundalk and dangerous driving at the same place and date, contrary to section 53 of the Road Traffic Act.

Detective Garda Sean O’Callaghan told the court he had arrested the defendant at 16 minutes past midnight and then charged him with the alleged offences at 12.40 am.

He said when the two charges were put to him the defendant made no reply.

Gardaí objected to bail because of the nature and seriousness of the charges. They said that a man was struck (by the car) and brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda. He is now in an induced coma after emergency surgery, the court heard.

It was also said that the accused has no ties to this jurisdiction and gardaí believed he was a flight risk.

The court heard too that a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and it is anticipated that further more serious charges will be preferred.

Michael Miley, for the accused, told the court that if bail was granted an independent surety was available.

Judge Dermot Dempsey remanded the accused to Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday July 30th.