A 39-year-old man from Westport who after being stopped by gardaí—after an alleged complaint that he was driving dangerously in his Porsche—reacted by telling the gardaí that the drivers in the area were a “bunch of f*****g rednecks” and that “it is no wonder your country is in the state that it is”, appeared at Castlebar District Court this week.
Gardaí in Claremorris on February 16 this year at 6.40pm received two calls that a man who was later identified as John Heraty, Carrowbeg, Ayle, Westport was dangerously overtaking cars in his black Porsche on the road from Balla to Claremorris and while passing by the other drivers was making hand signals to them.
Heraty was stopped at 6.55pm in Claremorris by gardaí but immediately asked them what the problem was, as according to the defendant he had had to overtake cars that were driving at 50kmph in a 100kmph zone, and referred to the drivers as “f****ng rednecks” and “f****ng sheep” before adding that it is no wonder this country is in such a mess.
Defending solicitor Cathy McDarby said that the unemployed, single father of two, who has no previous convictions, has since apologised for his unacceptable attitude on the day, but he acted in such a manner because Heraty claimed, he gets stopped a lot by gardaí as he drives a Porsche.
Heraty, who took the stand, was asked by Judge Devins why he referred to Ireland as “your country” even though, while originally being from England, he has been residing in Ireland for over 30 years? The defendant said that he in fact said “our country” but when asked by Superintendent Eugene Brennan if he had made the comments as outlined by the garda he said that he did.
Judge Devins said that even though he is not being prosecuted for his “asinine behaviour” his “attitude was obvious to everyone in court” and convicted him for careless driving, not dangerous driving, fining him €500 along with €700 for witness expenses.
