Driver abandoned car and ran into field to escape garda
The defendant failed to appear before the court.
A driver abandoned his car and ran into a field to escape a garda, a court has heard.
Shane O’Grady, aged 32, of Bunowen, Louisburgh, failed to appear before Castlebar District Court on charges of driving without tax, insurance or a driving licence.
Garda Ray Guilfoyle told the court that he was driving from Louisburgh to Westport on the afternoon of October 19, 2023, when he noticed a car about to exit from Berta Beach onto the main road.
As he passed the car, Garda Guilfoyle noticed there was no evidence of any paperwork on the windscreen to indicate it was taxed or insured.
He turned his vehicle and went back in the direction of where he had first spotted the car and then noticed it take off at speed.
The driver stopped at Murrisk and then took off on foot into a nearby field.
“I searched the field but failed to locate him,” said the garda.
Garda Guilfoyle told the court he later contacted the driver, Shane O'Grady, by phone and arranged to meet him.
“He denied he was driving the car and claimed it had been stolen,” said Garda Guilfoyle, who added that the abandoned car was seized.
He could not say if the car had been claimed by its owner but added that the defendant had admitted he was the owner of the car but had failed to register it in his name. The tax on the vehicle had been out since December 31, 2020.
The court was told that the defendant has no previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Gary Mulchrone said he had made several attempts to contact his client, but had received no response to four notifications about the matter.
Garda Inspector Maria Diffily said the case was listed to proceed, and it was obvious the defendant was avoiding a court appearance.
Judge Sandra Murphy imposed fines totalling €1,100 in relation to all matters.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
