Gardaí called off pursuit as they feared for public safety
The court heard that the defendant drove in the middle of the road during the high-speed chase.
A motorist sped away from Gardaí and refused to stop during the subsequent pursuit.
Eoghan Syron, Boleyglass, Bofeenaun, pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to careless driving at Church Street in Crossmolina on December 11, 2021. The DPP agreed to reduce the charge from dangerous to careless driving.
The court heard that Gda Agnew observed Syron's Volkswagen Golf parked on double yellow lines in Crossmolina. Upon seeing the patrol car, Syron got into the vehicle and “took off at speed”, partially mounting the footpath. He drove erratically in the direction of Lahardane, taking up the entire road for several minutes. Eventually, Gda Agnew felt it was no longer safe to pursue the defendant on a public road.
Solicitor Michael Bohan said his client paid €4,000 to travel back from Australia, where he has been living for two years, to attend court. He deeply regrets his actions.
Mr Bohan said Syron knew he had done wrong, and received "a lucky break" by having the charge reduced from dangerous to careless driving. He appealed to Judge Fiona Lydon for leniency, noting that his client has no previous convictions.
Judge Lydon said she would not disqualify on this occasion but warned Syron about his future conduct. She imposed a fine of €1,000 with eight months to pay.
