Charges of driving at JCB dismissed

A MOTORIST in his seventies successfully contested two charges alleging dangerous driving of his jeep at another vehicle in Ramsgrange.

Edward Ryan (76) from Boderan, Campile stood accused by Liam Duffin from Saltmills of offences dating back to the early months of 2016.

The District Court sitting in Wexford heard that there was animosity between the two men at the time. And, at the same court sitting, Ryan admitted having made a threat to shoot both Duffin and himself.

The first dangerous driving case dated back to the morning of January 31 of the year in question, a Sunday.

Duffin told how he was driving a JCB loader on the road in Ramsgrange after feeding horses. His evidence was that he saw Ryan’s Galway registered Hyundai jeep approach, swerving into his path and then back into its own lane.

Exactly a week later, Duffin said he was again driving the loader when a similar incident occurred. His recollection this time was that he had to pull in towards the ditch and stop.

Corroborative testimony on the February 7 incident was provided by his friend Micheál Banville, who said he had been following behind the JCB.

Banville spoke of seeing the jeep swerving for the loader but missing it and said Edward Ryan had a big smirk on his face as he drove on.

Sworn in to give evidence in his own defence, the accused said he had been attending 8.30 a.m. Mass on Sundays in Ramsgrange for about 15 years.

He suggested that no man with any bit of intelligence would drive at a JCB which had tag sprongs used for picking up animal feed sticking out at the front. He felt that the allegations had been made up to put pressure on him (Ryan) to withdraw an assault charge which was pending.

Under cross-examination, he told Garda Inspector Rory Sheriff that he never encountered Duffin on January 31 and suggested that Banville was not present on the second occasion. ‘I did not drive at anyone, to be honest,’ declared Ryan.

Judge John Cheatle noted the two conflicting versions of events and felt the case had not been proven, so he dismissed both charges.

The court then learned that the allegations of dangerous driving had a sequel.

While they were outstanding, Ryan told his nephew Anthony Ryan that he (the defendant) would shoot Liam Duffin and himself.

A plea of guilty was entered to a charge of making threats. However, Garda David Ryan accepted that the older Ryan was not the owner of a shotgun at the time.

The court was told that the defendant had been given a fiveyear sentence in 2002. He did his time in jail, acknowledged defending barrister Jordan Fletcher.

Counsel said his client had always admitted saying the offending words.

Ryan, reckoned Mr Fletcher, was in good health, apart from the effects of a kick from a horse. He was allowed the benefit of the Probation Act and bound to the peace.