Three injured when banned driver 'ploughed' into car
Castlebar District Court was told that the defendant was banned at the time of the collision.
A disqualified driver "ploughed" into another vehicle at a junction, a court has heard.
Cristiano Alves, aged 41, of 108 Fionnuisce, Doughiska, Co Galway pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
Gda Jason Lardner told the court that he responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision at Claremount, Claremorris, on July 16, 2021. The collision occurred at the junction of the Old Knock Road and an adjoining bog road. A VW Transporter van, driven by Alves, collided with another vehicle.
Gda Lardner said that the Transporter failed to stop at the junction and "ploughed" into the other vehicle. The Transporter flipped over and ended up on its roof. The occupants of the other vehicle - the driver and their two children - sustained a number of injuries. The collision occurred an 80km/hr road coming into a 60km/hr zone.
Alves produced an expired Brazilian driving licence and told Gda Lardner he was insured, but the proof was never forthcoming. The garda carried out further enquiries with the Road Safety Authority and discovered that Alves was not permitted to hold a driving licence because of a previous conviction. No victim impact statement was forthcoming.
Solicitor Cathy McDarby said her client works as a painter, and on the day in question, another person employed by Alves - and who was insured to drive the vehicle - was unable to work. Alves had to get paint to a site and decided to drive. The collision came as a result of a "momentary lapse of concentration".
“It was a silly mistake that could have paid a worse price if someone was killed,” said Ms McDarby.
She said her client wished to apologise to the victims, who were present in court.
Judge Vincent Deane said there were several aggravating factors in this case, notably that Alves had previously received a disqualification but went out driving without insurance a few months later.
The judge imposed a three-year driving ban, a fine of €500 and a five-month jail sentence, which he suspended for two years on condition the defendant does not drive during that period.
