A man who was followed by gardaí after they saw him driving in a dangerous manner, abandoned his car in the field and subsequently failed to provide a sample for drink driving, was before Castlebar District Court last week.
Shane Munnelly, Ballinagloe, Castlebar was observed on June 21 after midnight by Garda John Gallagher driving at a high speed on both sides of the road in the Snugboro area. After being followed by Gda Gallagher the defendant turned into the field and abandoned his car.
Munnelly was arrested on the suspicion of drink driving and later refused to provide a sample to gardaí.
Solicitor, Ms Lenehan, said that the defendant panicked when he saw the gardaí and abandoned his car. Ms Lenehan said that the 26-year-old, who has previous convictions is currently attending a psychologist, who has diagnosed him with learning difficulties.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy sought a probation report for the defendant to be before the court on March 18 2009 and disqualified the defendant from driving for a total of four years for refusing to provide a sample and for dangerous driving.
