A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court this week to dangerous driving.
Garda Tom Fleming who was on patrol at Milebush on January 25 at 2.35pm observed Michael Durkan, Carramore, Manulla, Castlebar, pull out near Milebush Park, do a spin in front of the marked patrol car, which caused the garda to brake the car. The garda saw Durkan lose control of his car, nearly hit a wall, and then do another ‘burn’ and drive towards Belcarra. Garda Fleming followed him and saw the defendant’s car rock from side to side in a ‘drifting’ move. At a junction the defendant did a handbrake turn and the car went sideways, blocking the road. Garda Fleming told the court that he “couldn’t believe what he was seeing” and he stopped Durkan.
Solicitor John Geary said that his client took off in a hurry to work and did not see the Garda car behind him.
The engineer who works in Homecare Medical in Kiltimagh and who lives at home has no previous convictions.
Judge Mary Devins said that she finds this “fascinating” that this man who has a job and is an educated engineer decided to do this.
The defendant was convicted and fined €400 and disqualified from driving for two years.
