GRANGE COLLISION RECALLED IN COURT

A collision between two cars travelling in the same direction on the way out of Grange towards Sligo was recalled at Sligo District Court where one of the drivers was summoned for dangerous driving. David Lynch, 39 Temple Street was summoned for dangerous driving at Aghagad, Grange on January 28th 2017. He was represented by Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor.

Lesley Chambers told the court he was driving towards Sligo at 1.20pm in his Honda CRV with his wife and was in the overtaking lane when a VW Passat which had been in the left lane suddenly cut across in front of him causing a collision. The witness said he had been travelling at between 35 to 45kph at the time. Mrs Chambers told the court that the Passat crossed over without any indication.

Joseph Feeney told the court he was travelling about 50 to 80 metres behind the Chambers’ car in the left lane. The CRV overtook a Passat which then crossed over into the right lane as though it was turning right or doing a u-turn.

David Lynch said he was renovating a house and had gone with his wife, Niamh that day to Donegal to Cherrymore and was passing through Grange on the way back when they decided to look at tiles at Gilroy’s but had passed the premises by and they decided to go back. He was in the right lane and put on his right indicator. He came to a stop for five to six seconds to let oncoming traffic pass before doing his right hand turn.

Mrs Lynch said they had come to a stop in the right hand lane and began turning then the car behind them hit them on the right.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said he was deciding as fact the defendant was in the left lane. He had put on his indicator at the last minute and was probably parallel with the other car. It was a sudden movement across the roadway and he cannot change lanes like that. It was an unwise move going uphill on a bend governed by a continuous white line. He should have continued up the road before turning. “He couldn’t have chosen a worse spot. It was an impulsive move,” he said reducing the charge to careless driving and imposing a fine of €200.