A 26-year-old man, who while unlawfully at large, was stopped on suspicion of drink driving but who then ran off with the handcuffs still attached, was given an extra four months to serve in jail.
Stephen Rabbitte with an address at 96 Inishannagh Park, Newcastle, was brought before Galway District Court on Monday charged with obstruction of a peace officer, driving without insurance, giving a false name, having no tax, driving without a licence, and the theft of handcuffs, valued €200, at Arch Motors, Westside, on January 17, 2010.
Garda Kieran Quinn told the court that at 4.30am he observed a car, driven by the defendant, pulling into the forcourt of Arch Motors without indicating. Garda Quinn approached the vehicle and spoke to the defendant who gave the name of Christopher Joyce. When Garda Quinn noticed an open can of cider in the car and that the defendant’s eyes were bloodshot he began to arrest Rabbitte on suspicion of drink driving and placed handcuffs on him. However, Rabbitte fled the scene and was pursued by gardai but “made good his escape”. Garda Quinn said that as a result of an intelligence led operation the defendant was arrested in the Westside area on March 5.
The court then heard that when Rabbitte was first stopped by Garda Quinn he had been unlawfully at large, did not have insurance, and had been disqualified from driving.
“He stole the handcuffs? How did that arise?” asked Judge Mary Fahy.
Garda Quinn told her that the handcuffs had been placed securely on the defendant before “he took off with them”. It was also indicated that the defendant damaged the handcuffs when removing them.
Inspector Pat McHugh told the court that the defendant has 43 previous convictions including criminal damage, driving without insurance, drink driving, unlawful taking of a vehicle, and burglary. The court also heard that Rabbitte is currently serving an 18 month sentence for other matters, with a release date in September.
Judge Fahy noted that Rabbitte received a significant sentence but that he was let out after only serving a few days. “If he served that he wouldn’t be here today. It’s a total waste of our time,” she said.
Judge Fahy convicted Rabbitte and imposed a total of four months, to be served on the lawful termination of the sentence already being served, and disqualified him from driving for 10 years. Rabbitte was also fined €300 payable forthwith.
