Garda had to abandon chase when speed hit 170km/h
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A garda had to drive at speeds of up to 170km per hour during a chase on a notorious stretch of the N17 near Claremorris where there have been multiple fatalities in recent years.
Patrick Farrell, aged 34, of Garrisker, Broadford, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to a charge of dangerous driving.
Garda John Hughes told the court he was driving a patrol car on the N17 at 3.20am on April 17, 2024 when he noticed a white BMW pull into the Top Oil Filling Station at Lisduff, Claremorris. The filling station was closed so Garda Hughes decided to stop to investigate as he felt the two occupants of the vehicle were acting suspiciously.
As Garda Hughes pulled up, the BMW took off at speed in the direction of Ballindine. Garda Hughes gave chase and reached speeds of between 160 and 170km per hour.
He tried to keep up with the vehicle but was unable to do so and abandoned the chase in the interests of public safety after losing sight of the BMW in Ballindine. However, the driver was subsequently identified as Farrell who has several previous convictions.
Solicitor Cathy McDarby said her client engaged in "a foolhardy act [that] will have serious implications" because he needs his licence to drive to work. She said her client had a lot of difficulties in the past and was getting his life back together when this incident occurred.
“All I can say is he panicked when he saw the patrol car and is really contrite for what he did."
Judge Sandra Murphy raised concerns about the defendant’s criminal record, and while she did accept there had been a gap between 2011 and 2016 when they defendant stayed out of trouble, other matters of a more recent period were a cause for concern.
The judge said the fact that Garda Hughes was not only unable to keep up with the defendant - but had lost sight of the car in Ballindine - was a very worrying and concerning issue in the case, noting that it was a residential area, making the manner of Farrell's driving even more serious.
Judge Murphy imposed a two-year driving ban and a fine of €350.
- Published as part of the Court Reporting Scheme
