A man who refused to give a garda his car keys after he was informed that his car was being seized was convicted at Ballina District Court this week for the obstruction of a peace officer and for road traffic offences.
On May 15 2009 at 9pm on Tone Street, Garda Eanna Cuffe observed a Nissan Skyliner with no documentation on the windscreen.
Gerard Langan, Tonroe, Kincon, Ballina, got out of the car and crossed the road to a takeaway and refused to come back to the garda. When he was informed that his car was being seized as he had no documentation the defendant attempted to unlock the car and flee the scene and tried to shoulder the garda out of his way.
A struggle ensued and Langan refused to hand over the keys; he even attempted to drop them down a drain before he was restrained and arrested.
The defendant, who has 15 previous road traffic convictions and was not in court or represented, was convicted and fined €250 for obstruction by Judge Mary Devins and a total of a €850 for having no tax, insurance, NCT, and a faulty light.
