Erris man took stolen car for 'a good spin' before crashing it
The defendant pleaded admitted stealing and crashing the car.
An Erris man stole a car and took it for a "good spin" before crashing it, a court has heard.
Pat Flannery, aged 34, of Inver, Barnatra, pleaded guilty at Belmullet District Court to stealing the car.
The court heard that on June 5, 2022, the injured party parked his car at Carter Square, Belmullet. He left the car open and put the keys behind the visor. At around 1am the vehicle was taken by Flannery. He was observed by witnesses driving around the town.
“The car was taken for a good spin,” Garda Denise McDonnell told the court.
Flannery crashed the car at School Road, Belmullet. The airbag was deployed and he left the scene. The vehicle was written off.
The owner of the car was 19 at the time and it was his first car. He reported the theft to Gardaí in Belmullet that night.
A DNA sample was taken from Flannery which matched DNA found on the airbag.
Solicitor Alan Gannon said the accused is a foreman currently working in Co Kerry and returns home at weekends.
Flannery has several previous convictions with the last offence occurring a decade ago.
Mr Gannon said his client had turned a corner 10 years ago before doing "something really stupid". The solicitor said Flannery has a drinking problem but attends AA and has been sober for 14 months.
Judge Fiona Lydon said the victim's "trust was breached" as he believed his car would be safe in his own community. She said Flannery has no regard for road traffic laws.
The accused had €2,000 in compensation in court but the damage caused to the car amounted to more than €4,000. Mr Gannon said he and his client only learned of the full cost of the damage on the morning of the court. Flannery pledged to pay the full amount by December 22.
Judge Lydon adjourned the matter for sentencing until April 10, 2024.
