A drunk driver who was chased by gardaí through Ballinrobe — where the 24-year-old man damaged a metal barrier in the process and then was pursued on foot — was before Castlebar District Court on Wednesday.
On January 3, a relative of Kieran Tuffy, Killernan, Kilmaine, contacted gardaí to say that he (Tuffy ) had driven off at high speed under the influence of alcohol.
Tuffy was observed at 8.55pm in Ballinrobe by Garda Aidan Connaughton, who activated the lights and sirens on the Garda car. The van failed to stop and was followed onto Main Street and Bridge Street. The van turned into the Bowers, where it drove at speed under a height restricted metal barrier. The Garda car had to swerve to avoid the broken pieces of the barrier smashing into the windscreen.
The van continued to drive until it reached a dead end. Tuffy abandoned the vehicle and took off on foot across a bridge and jumped over a gate. At 9.05pm he was stopped on Bowers Lane.
A blood sample was provided from the defendant which showed 199mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
The court head that the defendant, who has one previous conviction and four year driving disqualification, has a serious drink problem.
Judge Mary Devins adjourned sentencing for assessment and admittance to a centre for Tuffy to deal with his alcoholism. A report is to be furnished on February 16 2011.
