Judge tells Ballina man not to heed advice of supporters

A golf course owner who struck a Garda with his jeep has received a suspended prison sentence.

Last July, John O’Boyle, aged 70, of Quignalegan, Sligo Road, Ballina, was found guilty by a jury at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court of assault causing harm, dangerous driving, failure to stop, and failure to remain at the scene. 

Gda Padraig Naughton told the court he was on duty in the vicinity of a Garda checkpoint at Quignalegan on the morning of October 24, 2021. O’Boyle’s jeep emerged from a side road and was pointed in the direction of the checkpoint before entering the main road. 

However, the vehicle then exited the side road in the other direction and drove towards Blindbrook par three golf course. The Garda said he noted there was no tax on the jeep and he followed it.

O'Boyle parked in the public car park of the golf course and Gda Naughton went to speak to him. He claimed O’Boyle became “irate” and told the Garda to leave the area as it was private property.

Gda Naughton returned to his car to check the tax status of the jeep and to call for assistance. The vehicle was untaxed since June 2019 with O’Boyle taking ownership of it in February 2020. It was taxed following the incident.

Gda Naughton said the accused was in the jeep when he went to inform him that he would be seizing the vehicle. His colleagues were just entering the car park at this stage and he was standing on the driver’s side of the jeep. Gda Naughton said O’Boyle reversed the jeep and then drove toward him, colliding with his right shoulder.

He said the accused pulled the jeep into a private area and told him – “What are you going to do it about it now?” – before climbing onto a lawn mower and proceeding to cut the grass on the course.

Gda Naughton said it took about 20 to 30 minutes before he noticed the soreness in his shoulder. A medical examination later revealed he had suffered a rotator cuff injury from which he has fully recovered.

The incident was captured on CCTV provided to the court by the accused.

The case came before the court again last Thursday for finalisation.

In a victim impact statement, Sgt Naughton said he was "bombarded" with letters from O’Boyle and claimed some of the defendant's "supporters" gave out his home address on social media. These incidents have been of great concern to him and his family and he fears more social media abuse following the completion of the case.

The court heard O’Boyle has seven previous convictions, with three of these relating to breaches of Covid-19 regulations.

Defending barrister Martin Durack said his client believes that the criminal justice system has failed him and he has become a "martyr" to some of his supporters.

One of his supporters interrupted Judge Eoin Garavan as he spoke, calling the judge a “criminal” and accusing the court of rigging the jury.

Judge Garavan noted that the accused still doesn’t accept the verdict of the jury, adding: “Everyone is wrong except for him."

He urged O’Boyle not to heed the advice of some of his supporters.

“He would be far better off doing what he thinks is right and not submitting to other people.” 

The judge said he does not believe that O’Boyle intended to harm Gda Naughton that day and said his driving was reckless rather than dangerous. He said the Garda’s injuries were not very serious and a custodial sentence was not merited.

Judge Garavan imposed a two-year suspended sentence and ordered O’Boyle to carry out 120 hours of community service and undertake a Pro-Social driving course.

O’Boyle was also fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for two years.