A 19-year-old man, who when driving at speed on a country lane, lost control and crashed into two cars and then left the scene, was convicted of dangerous driving at Castlebar District Court this week with Judge Mary Devins describing the incident as “horrific” as it “could have wiped out two families”.
Garda Michael Toland outlined that on September 12 2008 some time between 2.30pm and 3pm, Alan Killeen of Roose, Hollymount, lost control of his car. He had been driving the vehicle at speed around a blind corner, which has overgrown vegetation, on Clooangh Road, Belcarra, and collided into two vehicles going in the opposite direction. In one of the cars was a pregnant woman who was brought to hospital; there were no other injuries. Killeen left the scene but later called to the Garda station where he admitted causing the accident. The defendant had no driving licence or insurance.
Lynda Lenehan, defending solicitor, said that Killeen was driving the car belonging to his friend and that “five minutes of madness” could have had “very, very serious consequences” for the other passengers. The defendant, who has no previous convictions, was an apprentice carpenter but is now working in a warehouse. Ms Lenehan outlined that Killeens’ parents are making sure that any compensation which they paid to the injured parties would be paid back in full by their son.
Judge Devins said that she was thinking of imposing a custodial sentence but asked Killeen if he was prepared to do something to repay the community instead of going to prison.
The judge convicted and fined the defendant €750 for dangerous driving and disqualified him from driving for two years. The case was then adjourned to September 2 for the preparation of a community service report and if he is deemed suitable Killeen would complete 100 hours in lieu of two months in prison.
For having no insurance the defendant was convicted and fined €750 and disqualified for one year concurrent, and for having no driving licence Killeen was convicted and fined €75.
