A Ballina man who, at a packed funfair, pulled a handbrake turn in front of a garda car, was convicted of dangerous driving at Ballina District Court this week.
Sergeant Regina Carley told the court that while on patrol on July 14 2009 at 9.32pm she entered the Ballina Mart grounds, where a funfair was taking place and a large crowd of people were present. The sergeant observed a white Ford van, which was in front of her, gather speed and perform a 180 degrees handbrake turn, just missing a number of pedestrians. The sergeant said that the expression of the driver of the van — Clive Maughan, 14 Tyrawley Terrace, Ballina — went from laughter to shock when he realised that a garda car was behind him.
Judge Mary Devins said that the incident was “too shocking” as adults or children could have been left maimed from the incident. The 18-year-old was convicted and fined €300 for dangerous driving and was disqualified from driving for two years.
