‘ Nasty’ NYE Hit and Run

A father of two has begged a judge not to ban him from driving after he pleaded guilty to a hit and run in his car on New Year’s Eve last year.

Barry Downey ( 32) of Joe McDonnell Drive, Cranmore, pleaded guilty to failing to report an accident and failing to give information on the hit and run on the Ballytivnan Road in the early hours of January 1st 2016.

He was also accused of failing to produce his insurance and of having no driver’s licence on the same date.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne said that on the night in question, the owner of the parked car Downey collided with heard a noise around 1.45- 2am and looked out the window.

When she approached the driver it was alleged Downey shouted profanities at her and left the scene.

The court heard Downey has 29 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Ms Laura Spellman told Judge Kilrane that Downey admitted he shouldn’t have left the scene of the accident.

“It’s a terrible thing to do. The other person was compensated,” she said, adding that Downey was the father of two children aged 3 and 6 and pleaded with the judge to be as lenient as possible with him.

The judge asked what time the accident occurred at. He was told it happened at 1.45am. “When an accident occurs at 1.45 there’s always a suspicion as to why the person didn’t stop,” he said.

Inspector Kilcoyne pointed out that Gardaí spoke to Downey at 2.37am as a result of a Public Order incident and he was “highly agitated and intoxicated.”

Ms Spellman said there was nothing in the Garda statements about that.

“Anyone who has an impact with a car... it’s a nasty thing and in the normal course of things disqualification must follow,” said Judge Kilrane.

“I would ask you not to disqualify him as he brings his kids to school,” urged Ms Spellman.

Inspector Kilcoyne said Downey was covered by insurance for this particular incident.

“They’re two nasty convictions,” said the judge.

He said if Downey brought ¤ 600 into court, ¤ 300 for each offence, he would consider leaving him without a driving disqualification.

He remanded Downey on continuing bail to May 18th in order to give him time to come up with the money.