Garda gave up on pursuit as it was too dangerous

A MAN who sped away from a garda in his mother’s Lexus was dealt a couple of dangerous driving convictions and a four year driving ban.

Tadgh Dunleavy (25), Galbally, Curracloe was not present to deal with the case brought by Garda Alan Hayes, recently promoted to sergeant rank.

Solicitor Cormac Dunleavy told the District Court that his client was in Australia but that he had indicated guilty pleas before his departure.

The matter dated back to June of 2016 when the garda was on duty in the Curracloe area and he approached the Lexus at The Raven.

The witness told how he got out of his patrol car and went up to the car, only for it to take off at speed.

It was seen driving past stop signs in Barnahask and in Curracloe village without stopping.

The garda then gave up the pursuit as he reckoned it was too dangerous to follow the Lexus at such excessive speed.

However, he had made a note of the registration and traced ownership of the vehicle to the defendant’s mother. Her immediate response when he called her was that she did not know who had been driving the car.

However, her son Tadhg Dunleavy later made contact with the investigating officer and told him he had been behind the wheel. The garda noted the defendant saying ‘I panicked and drove off when I saw the blue lights’.

A valid insurance certificate was later produced, the court was informed.

The solicitor confirmed that the accused was working at present in construction in Australia and that he was likely to return to Ireland later this year.

Judge Gerard Haughton set two fines of €400 each for the dangerous driving and added the four year ban.