GARDAI CHASED MOTORIST (46) ACROSS LOUTH
A CHASE in north Louth, involving a garda SUV and a similar vehicle being driven by a 46-year-old mechanic, has been recalled at Dundalk court.
Before Judge Coughlan was Nigel Skelly, Kellystown, Grangebellew, Drogheda, who denied three counts of dangerous driving at Jenkinstown, Ballymakellet and Ravensdale on 26 March, 2016.
His legal team argued he was not behind the wheel on the occasion, and called into question how Skelly was identified by gardaí.
Sergeant Nigel McInaw said there had been a number of incidents of dangerous driving, and he saw an Audi Q7 SUV drive into a garden of a house and do a three-point turn.
He was observer in a similar model, and saw the other driver through a side-window.
This man was in his late thirties/early forties, and had a sallow complexion.
A pursuit took place for some time, until the other vehicle crossed the border into Northern Ireland.
Sgt. McInaw continued that he subsequently heard the SUV was reported stolen to gardaí in Drogheda.
The vehicle was registered to Skelly’s partner. Skelly reported it stolen about three hours after the alleged incident, and subsequently withdrew the complaint.
On 14 April, 2016, while off duty, Sgt. McInaw said he saw the same vehicle in Drogheda.
He called to the registered owner’s address, and Skelly came out to the gate, and identified himself.
He abruptly told the officer he had made a complaint to Drogheda garda station about the Audi being stolen.
The sergeant remarked he was satisfied it was the same man driving on both occasions.
It was put to the witness by defence solicitor Michael Staines that the side-window on his client’s SUV was tinted and failed the NCT for that reason.
Mr. Staines argued Skelly should have been given the opportunity to go on an identity parade.
He suggested there is a doubt in the manner.
However, Judge Coughlan convicted the accused.
Inspector Martin Beggy then outlined details of the dangerous driving.
At the southbound off-ramp of the N1 at Ravensdale, the defendant drove against the flow of traffic.
The four wheels of his vehicle left the ground crossing the bridge at The Lumpers’ pub in Ballymakellet; while pedestrians had to get in off the road in Jenkinstown to avoid him.
The judge said he was not impressed with Skelly’s efforts to evade the situation.
On one of the charges of dangerous driving, he imposed a €500 fine, and two-year disqualification. The others were taken into consideration.
Bail for an appeal was set at €100 cash.