A 21-year-old man who was not wearing a helmet while driving a 400cc motorbike, and drove off at speed when gardaí tried to stop him was before Belmullet District Court this week.
Liam O’Connor, 2 Springfield, Bangor Erris, was observed by Garda Hugh Egan on American Street, Belmullet, on August 31 last year driving a motorbike without a helmet. Garda Egan, who was in a marked patrol jeep, followed the defendant and activated the blue lights. However O’Connor took off at high speed and passed out a number of vehicles in the built up area. Garda Egan lost sight of O’Connor, however he was detected following enquiries.
Initially the defendant denied his involvement, but then made a cautious statement. It was also established that the defendant did not have insurance on the vehicle he was driving,
Solicitor for O’Connor, John Gordon, said that the reason that the defendant did not have insurance was that he had just purchased the bike, but was insured on another bike which he owned, and that “one thoughtless act” in not wearing a helmet led to this situation.
According to Mr Gordon both bikes are now not in operation and the defendant and his partners have apologised to gardaí for O’Connor’s behaviour on the day.
Judge Mary Devins convicted the defendant for careless driving and fined him €300. For having no insurance O’Connor was fined €300 and was given a six-month driving disqualification.
