Sentencing adjourned due to hospitalisation of defendant
The case came before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
The sentencing of a man who has been in custody for several months has been adjourned as he is currently in hospital.
Thomas Lydon, aged 63, of Carne, Charlestown, previously appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court where he initially pleaded guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. However, the defendant subsequently dispensed with his legal team and while he admitted drink driving sought to change his plea on the dangerous driving charge.
Judge Eoin Garavan was told that a two-car collision occurred on the N17 at Kilkelly at 10.15pm on February 29, 2024. Road and weather conditions were poor due to recent snowfall.
A motorist had contacted Gardaí after he was overtaken by a car driven by Lydon which proceeded to drive on the wrong side of the road. Lydon’s Hyundai collided with an oncoming car, causing serious injuries to his front-seat passenger and the front-seat passenger of the other vehicle.
A witness to the incident described how Lydon’s first action upon exiting his vehicle was not to check on the injured parties, but rather to urinate against the side of his own car.
Lydon failed a roadside breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. A urine sample later revealed a reading of 207mg of alcohol, more than three times the legal limit of 67mg.
The court was told that Lydon has a number of previous convictions, including for motoring offences.
Judge Garavan said it was clear from the evidence that Lydon was a “deeply unpleasant individual” and remanded him in custody. He pointed to the man’s lack of insight, remorse, or pity and his failure to take any responsibility.
As Lydon has been in custody since before July 1, when the ongoing legal aid dispute commenced, his case could have proceeded at last week’s court sitting but was unable to do so due to his hospitalisation.
Judge Garavan adjourned the matter to November 4th for finalisation.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
