'Youthful exuberance' led to cross-country chase
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A cross-country car chase ensued after a Garda attempted to stop a vehicle that had smoke billowing from its exhaust, a court has heard.
Michael McDonagh, aged 19, of Ballyhankeen, Hollymount, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to a charge of dangerous driving and driving without insurance following a chase which came to an end in Turlough, having commenced on the Pontoon Road in Castlebar.
The court heard that Gda Francis Carter was on duty at 11.35pm on November 29, 2024, when his attention was drawn to a car that had smoke billowing from the exhaust.
The garda activated the siren and flashing lights on the patrol car but the other vehicle continued on. It stopped briefly but then took off again and continued to Turlough Road where it stopped at Blackthorn Village.
The driver, Michael McDonagh, was asked to produce a certificate of insurance but failed to do so.
Solicitor Evan O’Dwyer said his client was aged 18 at the time and has no previous convictions.
“It is hard to find an explanation for his behaviour on the night in question but it could possibly be youthful exuberance,” said Mr O’Dwyer. who admitted his client was driving a defective car. “There was a lot going on that night and in fairness he could be before the court on multiple driving charges as the chase continued over a number of townlands."
Mr O'Dwyer praised the bravery of Gda Carter who continued his pursuit and eventually got the defendant to come to a stop. He added that his client was working as a driver of a static teleporter with a construction company and was progressing in that line of work and now has his own car which is fully insured.
“He accepts this is big set-back for his efforts to build a career in driving in the construction industry and he knows he has to face a mandatory disqualification, but he is a young man who has his whole future in front of him and is determined to put this behind him,” said Mr O’Dwyer.
Judge Deirdre Gearty said it was a foolhardy decision to take on the garda especially with a car that was blowing smoke from the exhaust.
Judge Gearty said to his credit the defendant came into court with his hands up but she had no option, considering the nature of the driving, but to impose a conviction for dangerous driving, for which she imposed a two-year driving ban and a fine of €250.
She also imposed a €250 fine for no insurance but declined to impose a disqualification on the no insurance charge as it was the defendant’s first offence.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
