A man who caused a four-car crash on his first day in a vehicle was allowed keep his licence in the District Court this week (March 25 ) after he put his hands up and accepted responsibility for his actions.
Noel Ely (26 ), with an address at Gortarowey, Drumcliff, Co Sligo was in court to face a charge of dangerous driving after the multi-vehicle incident on the Ballymahon road in Tubberclair on the afternoon of September 13.
The court heard how Ely had taken ownership of the 4x4 vehicle he was driving at the time of the crash only a few hours previously.
According to Garda evidence, Ely had overtaken a car and gone back into his lane when he saw three cars stopped ahead of him to allow another car turn right.
“He saw them late, braked hard and hit the rear car, causing a concertina effect,” said Garda Connolly.
Ely left 78 feet (24m ) of skid marks, for which his bald tyres were a major contributor, according to the garda.
“He said he was going to get his mechanic at home to go over the vehicle,” said Garda Connolly.
Ely was properly insured, “co-operated fully”, and had no previous convictions.
His solicitor, Mr Padraig Quinn, pointed out that the other witnesses were professional people from Kerry, Cork, and Leitrim.
“My client has saved them considerable expense by choosing this certain course of action,” he said.
“He overtook on a broken white line but only has third party insurance. He has taken the financial hit of €4,000. He has learnt a salutary lesson and is fortunate things were not more serious on that date,” he added.
Mr Quinn pointed out how Ely had the opportunity of a driving job with his brother and was also involved with a music group.
Judge Elizabeth McGrath accepted this and convicted Ely on the lesser charge of careless driving, fining him €500 with six months to pay. Three other charges were taken into consideration.
“I won't disqualify him on this occasion,” said the judge.
