High speed chase with Gardai ends on dirt track

A driver who led Gardai on an early morning high speed chase south of Dundalk was arrested after the chase ended on a dirt track behind a hotel.

Terry Fearon, Corrakit, Omeath, admitted a number of offences arising out of the incident which started at 12.35am on May 2 at Crowe Street when Gardai saw the Ford Focus drive at speed towards Francis Street as they approached.

Fearon drove on the outside lane of the one way system and broke a red light at Dublin Street. Near the Avenue Road junction at Hill Street, cars in front of him were stopped at a red light and he reversed, overtaking them through the lights.

Gardai activated the blue lights and siren and went after him, reaching 160kmph at times. At the Xerox junction, he hit 120kmph going towards Castlebellingham, and, Gardai said, ‘never reduced speed’. He overtook a number of vehicles at 160kmph and oncoming cars had to take evasive action in order to avoid a collision.

He drove through the main gates at Bellingham Castle and sped towards the back of the hotel, going onto a dirt track which was a dead end. He couldn’t get off the property again as the electronic gates had closed behind him.

Fearon got out of the car and ran into a wooded area and escaped. Less than 48 hours later, the defendant went to Dundalk Garda station and tried to report his vehicle stolen, but was recognised by officers.

He has one conviction, from the North, for drink driving. Fearon’s barrister said his client ‘accepts that his behaviour was unacceptable’.

He is an unemployed labourer and wants to do a FAS course in welding. Fearon lives with his grandparents, the barrister said, who are both aged in their eighties and his grandfather has been in hospital for the past six months. The barrister said his client ‘is very contrite and apologetic for his unacceptable actions’.

Judge Brennan imposed a €100 fine for dangerous driving and a total of €300 for six careless driving charges. He initially banned him for two years, but rescinded that order after the barrister asked for a stay on the imposition of the disqualification until Fearon gets his affairs in order and it was revealed the legislation didn’t provide for a stay on these charges.