Man drove scrambler at speed on road
A man who drove a scrambler at speed on the road has appeared before the district court.
Anthony Farrell (27), 10 Clontygora Court, Muirhevnamór, pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including dangerous driving and no insurance, arising out of the incident on 14 March last.
Evidence was presented that he was seen driving in an erratic manner an off-road Yamaha motorbike at Clontygora Court.
The defendant travelled at speed in the direction of a garda patrol car and failed to stop when signalled to do so.
He then mounted a footpath and drove dangerously, again not stopping for the guards.
Farrell came to a halt when the engine appeared to cut out.
In a separate incident in Clontygora Court gardaí saw him driving a Lexus. After stopping him they got a smell of cannabis from the vehicle.
The car was searched, and a small amount of cannabis recovered.
The driver failed to produce insurance and other documents.
There are no previous convictions. Solicitor Eleanor Kelly said her client was single and on social welfare.
On this occasion he intended to go to a field to use the scrambler. He accepted it was an off-road bike. He panicked when he encountered the guards.
Farrell had no excuse for the cannabis. He shouldn’t have been driving.
Ms Kelly added he was no longer driving or smoking as he couldn’t afford to.
For no insurance on the car a two-year disqualification and €250 fine were imposed.
Farrell was also fined €250 for no driving licence, €150 for tax not displayed, €100 for failing to display ‘L’ plates and €150 for being unaccompanied by a qualified driver.
He was given until 16 December to come up with a €100 donation to Sosad in order to have an unlawful possession of cannabis charge struck out.
For no insurance on the scrambler he was disqualified for four years, fined €350 and sentenced to six months, suspended for 12 months.
The defendant was sentenced to two months, suspended for 6 months, for no driving licence; and disqualified for four years for dangerous driving.