A young rugby player, who had been driving his motorbike dangerously while drunk, dragged a Garda officer at least 20 metres before he stopped, the Galway District Court heard this week.
Keith Richardson (22 ) with an address at 295 Corrib Park, Newcastle, had pleaded guilty at an earlier court sitting to obstruction of a Garda officer, drink driving, dangerous driving, driving without a licence or insurance, and failure to produce insurance on May 13, 2008, at Eglinton Street.
Inspector Ernie White told the court last Monday that Garda Hanley had put his hand out, indicating for the defendant to stop his motorbike, but he had been dragged “for 20 metres”. Richardson was arrested and brought to Galway Garda Station where he gave an alcohol reading of 47mg per 100ml of breath. The court heard how the defendant had no previous convictions
Defence solicitor Noel Rhatigan said that his client had only brought to the motorbike to Galway two week before the incident, did not normally drive it, and had actually planned to sell it.
On the night in question, he said that Richardson “had been slowing down” when approaching the garda but when Garda Hanley grabbed the handle bars Richardson “accidentally gunned the throttle and it jumped forward”.
“This is very very serious,” replied Judge Mary Fahy who then asked to speak to Garda Hanley.
Later that afternoon, Garda Hanley gave evidence that he had been on patrol at around 2.30am and observed the defendant driving from the direction of Brown Thomas down Eglinton Street “at speed”. He said that a minute later, the defendant drove back up the street and when he reached the Cellar Bar, Garda Hanley “clearly indicated for him to stop”. He said that Richardson stopped for about a second before starting up again and losing control at Monsoon. Garda Hanley added that he had to hold on by putting his arm around Richardson’s shoulder and “was struggling with him as he drove”. He said, however, that the defendant had apologised profusely at the station.
Mr Rhatigan put it to Garda Hanley that he had held on to the right hand side of the bike which is where the throttle is. “When you grabbed the handle bar it gunned the throttle,” he added.
“He only stopped at Monsoon because he lost control. It certainly paints a different picture of him,” said Judge Fahy who added that Garda Hanley had “risked his life doing his public duty” and that it had been an “absolute miracle” that he was not injured.
Mr Rhatigan explained that Richardson was a talented rugby player who had come to Galway three years ago because of a contract with a local team and had never been in trouble before.
After hearing the evidence, Judge Fahy fined the defendant €500 and disqualified him from driving for two years for the charge of drink driving. For dangerous driving he was given a four month sentence suspended for 12 months on his own bond of €500 to be of good behaviour and to not re-offend. He was also disqualified for three years. The charge of obstructing a garda officer resulted in a fine of €1,000 with four months to pay and for having no insurance a €500 fine and a four year disqualification was imposed. Recognisance was fixed at €1,000 with an independent surety of €1,000.
