A 31-year-old man who was chased by gardaí for more than 25 kilometres from Castlebar towards Mayo Abbey — with the defendant driving dangerously on the wrong side of a narrow road while approaching bends on hills — was disqualified from driving at Castlebar District Court on Wednesday.
Garda Brian Guerin outlined to the court that he was on duty in Castlebar town on July 13 2008 at 10.52pm when he observed Colin Gillespie, 6 Mons Terrace, Castlebar, driving in front of him in an erratic, fast, manner through a built up area. Garda Guerin followed the defendant onto Spencer Street where Gillespie was observed going at speeds of 80kph in a 50kph zone.
The lights of the patrol car were activated but the defendant failed to stop. The gardaí pursued the vehicle out the N5 towards Ballyvarry and then onto Balla, with Gillespie’s car finally stopped — with the assistance of two other patrol cars — in the Mayo Abbey area.
Garda Guerin told the court that while pursuing the defendant in the Balla vicinity, Gillespie was observed approaching bends on hills on the wrong side of the road.
When Garda Guerin stopped the defendant, who had no insurance for the car, Gillespie was arrested on the suspicion of drink driving. After being brought to Castlebar Garda Station, Gillespie failed to give a sample by lying on the ground and pretending to be asleep.
Defending solicitor Aidan Crowley said that the man who returned to Ireland three years ago, is a heavy drinker and has been using cannabis since he was 16. Gillespie has a previous disqualification for drink driving.
For failing to provide a sample, Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined Gillespie €750 and disqualified him from driving for six years. For dangerous driving the defendant was convicted and fined €500 and disqualified for one year concurrent, and for having no insurance the man was convicted and fined €500 and disqualified for three years concurrent.
