Man deliberately drove into furniture on Mayo garage forecourt
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A man was trying to “show off” when he twice drove his car into outdoor furniture on a garage forecourt.
Ross Jordan, aged 24, of Lisaniska, Ballyvary pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to charges of criminal damage, endangerment, and driving without insurance.
Gda Noel Higgins told the court that he was called to Casey’s Centra in Castlebar on July 16, 2023. He was shown CCTV that showed a Red Honda driving at high speed into the forecourt before deliberately colliding with four outdoor tables. The vehicle then drove away before returning and committing the same act again just moments later.
On July 23, Jordan was arrested at his home, and made full admissions. The court heard he was intoxicated on the night.
The damage caused to four outdoor tables, two parasols and a front door glass panel came to €2,243. Jordan had €3,000 in compensation in court. Judge Eoin Garavan was told that after driving into the outdoor tables, Jordan then made a failed attempt to fix them. The kitchen fitter has 16 previous convictions, 15 of which are for road traffic matters.
Barrister Mark Ryan, representing Jordan, said there were other people present and the forecourt is sometimes used as a meeting place for young drivers. Mr Ryan said his client’s actions were an “effort to show off to the people who were there".
The barrister said his client has “his mother tortured” and is undergoing two years of continuing care under a programme provided by Hope House. Jordan also attends AA and cocaine addiction counselling.
Mr Ryan said a recent ADHD diagnosis may help to explain the defendant's behaviour.
Judge Garavan said it appeared that Jordan was “goaded” into the foolish act, adding that the defendant's crime was “quite extraordinary and wanton".
For the endangerment offence, Judge Garavan imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence. For the act of criminal damage, Jordan was ordered to carry out 175 hours of community service in lieu of one year and six months in prison.
