Man went on driving ‘rampage’ in town

A 22-year-old man who led gardaí on a pursuit around The Mall and the grounds of Sligo University Hospital was influenced to do so by his passengers, the court was told. Ryan Walker, with an address of Oakgrove, Kinlough, Co Leitrim pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on October 31st 2016 on The Mall, Sligo. Inspector Ray Mulderrig told the court gardaí observed a vehicle turning away from a checkpoint and heading back towards Sligo and they went in pursuit. When the driver was subsequently interviewed later he made full admissions. Inspector Mulderrig said it became apparent the passengers may have contributed to the driver’s actions on the day in question. He said Walker drove through a red light at the junction with IT Sligo at Ballinode and went onto the roundabout at The Mall on the wrong side and then drove into the grounds of the hospital and then exited onto The Mall and vehicles had to swerve. The occupants then left the scene. Defending solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern said his client contacted gardaí and made a statement and was more than co-operative. He said the reason why he had turned back from the checkpoint was because an occupant of the car put him under pressure. He had only met the man that day and didn’t know he was involved in criminality and that there was a bench warrant out for his arrest. Mr McGovern said his client was very remorseful and he regrets his actions. He said he was a young man of 22 years and the father of two young children. Judge Kevin Kilrane said the man had put the life of himself and other road users in danger by not stopping for gardaí and going on a chase up and down the road and into the hospital grounds.“I accept he was egged on by others in the car but this is a type of rampage driving.”

The judge fined Walker €200 and disqualified him from driving for two years.