Motorist left the scene after crashing into tree and pillar
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A district court judge has ordered that a victim impact statement be canvassed in the case of a motorist who left the scene of a single-vehicle accident in which his car struck a tree and a pillar.
Brian Cosgrove, aged 59, of Dowagh West, Cross, Cong, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to driving without a license, insurance and failing to produce both.
Sgt Shane Kelleher told the court that Gardaí were called to the scene of a single-vehicle road traffic collision at 8pm on February 22, 2023. On arrival at the scene, the gardaí found a vehicle but no driver. Damage had been caused to a tree and a pillar.
The Gardaí visited the registered address of the vehicle owner, Brian Cosgrove, who made admissions about having been involved in the incident. He failed to produce his license and insurance and it later emerged that Cosgrove had been disqualified from driving at the time of the incident.
Cosgrove has one previous conviction for drunk driving.
Solicitor Brian Gilmartin said his client works in a hospital in Galway as a cleaner and is reliant on being able to drive, as only three buses pass through Cross village on a daily basis. He said Cosgrove paid €1,800 to repair the damage that had been caused.
Judge Fiona Lydon said it concerned her that the defendant failed to remain at the scene of the incident. She said a victim impact statement needs to be canvassed from the person whose property was damaged before she can finalise the case and also ordered the production of a probation report. The judge adjourned the case for sentencing to Castlebar District Court on June 28.
