Man ignored Garda advice to go home during Covid-19 lockdown
The man pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to breaching the lockdown rules.
A Castlebar man who breached Level 5 regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic in order "to look at a car" has been given the benefit of the Probation Act.
Patrick McDonagh, of 55 Cois Abhainn, Castlebar, pleaded guilty at the local district court to committing the offence on April 17, 2020, just weeks after the country was placed in a full lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Gda Martin Friel said he was conducting a checkpoint at Deerpark, Tourmakeady on the date in question when he observed a black Vauxhall Astra car driving towards Cong. The law at the time stated that members of the public could not travel 2km beyond their homes unless for essential purposes.
He spoke to the defendant, a front-seat passenger, and two other occupants who have already appeared before the court on similar charges.
“[McDonagh] said he was going to look at a car in Cong,” remarked Gda Friel.
The garda advised the trio to turn back but they ignored his advice and he observed them in Partry several hours later.
Solicitor Myles Gilvarry said his client has not come to any Garda attention since this incident. Appealing for leniency, Mr Gilvarry said the defendant is facing "potential consequences" if convicted.
Judge Marie Keane said it was clear this was not an “urgent mission” and McDonagh was given an opportunity after he was initially detected in Tourmakeady. However, the judge said she would be willing to apply the Probation Act - meaning no conviction will be recorded - if McDonagh donates €200 to the Little Blue Heroes charity.
