A 21-year-old man who crashed his car into a wall after failing to stop for gardaí was before Tuesday’s siting of Ballina District Court.
On February 27 2012 at around 4am, gardaí who were on patrol on Lord Edward Street, Ballina observed a car being driven towards their patrol car with its full headlights on. The car, which was moving fast, was driven by Brenden Birrane, 37 Abbeyview, Crossmolina.
Gardaí signalled for the car to stop by activating the patrol car lights, however the defendant failed to stop, drove through red traffic lights, and turned right on to the Foxford Road. Birrane then turned in to Primrose Hill without indicating and continued to drive fast. Birrane lost control of his car and veered across the road, where he hit a wall and the car spun 360 degrees. Birrane got out of the car and ran from the scene. The passenger in the car stayed and spoke with gardaí. Birrane went to Ballina Garda Station the day after the incident.
According to solicitor Michael Bohan, Birrane had two drinks that night after going to a pub to watch a match. He forgot to dip his headlights and panicked when he saw the gardaí behind him and lost control on a narrow road.
The unemployed man hopes to go to England in the new year for work.
Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined him €350 and disqualified him from driving for one year.
