Hit and Run driver pleads guilty to hitting lamp post

A hit and run driver has been told to bring ¤400 back to Tubbercurry District Court if he wants to hold on to his driver’s licence.

Charlie Ward (27) of Slieve More Drive, Ballytivnan, Sligo appeared before Judge Kevin Kilrane at Tubbercurry District Court last Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of hit and run by failing to stop and by failing to report the incident at Parklands, Carrowntober, at Tubbercurry on 16 th January 2017.

Inspector Paraic Burke told the court that Ward was driving his car at that location when he hit a lamp post around 12.30am and left the scene.

He was subsequently interviewed by Gardaí and made full admissions.

Defence Solicitor Mr Eamonn Gallagher told the court that Ward was 27 years old, a single man living with friends in Sligo.

He said Ward did contact the Gardaí the following day and was willing to pay full compensation for the damage done to the pole.

Ward’s previous convictions include intoxication in public in 2012 at the District Court, on February 2nd 2014 Ward was given a two year suspended sentence by Sligo Circuit Criminal Court for theft, in 2013 he was convicted of trespass at the District Court and on another occasion that year he was convicted of driving without tax or insurance and disqualified for two years.

Judge Kilrane said he’d “have to be concerned if someone crashes at that hour of the night.” Mr Gallagher said there were “no other parties involved.”

Judge Kilrane adjourned the case to 26 th September indicating he may leave the matter at a fine of ¤400 without a disqualification if Ward has that amount in court that day.