A person charged with endangering the lives of two Gardaí after driving head-on in direction of their patrol automobile is to reappear for sentencing in October.
Stephen Maughan, 41 Grian Ard, Ardnacassa, Longford, appeared at a latest sitting of Longford Circuit Courtroom, the place Choose Keenan Johnson heard particulars of the incident.
On September 12, 2017, the courtroom heard that Garda Shane Carr took up patrol responsibility and noticed a automobile driving erratically from Principal Avenue Edgeworthstown, by way of site visitors lights and onto the outdated Longford street.
“He carried out a U-turn at Kane’s filling station, drove by way of crimson lights, observed us and sped away,” Gda Carr advised the courtroom.
The sirens and blue lights of the patrol automobile had been activated and Gardaí adopted the offending automobile at a protected distance.
“He carried out a U-turn and drove straight on the patrol automobile. Then the automobile made its technique to the outdated Longford street once more at speeds of 100km/hr in a 50km zone, swinging back and forth,” stated Gda Carr.
“He made his technique to the doorway of a housing property and made one other handbrake flip after which went to the underside of the property and carried out one other handbrake flip earlier than getting caught within the grass.
“We exited the patrol automobile and requested him to show the engine off. There was a scent of drink off his breath.”
The courtroom heard that Mr Maughan grew to become abusive and threatening in direction of Gardaí as they had been trying arrest.
Mr Maughan was arrested and a certificates of research was obtained, which returned a studying of 150mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
He was charged at a later date with 4 counts of harmful driving, no insurance coverage, no licence and drunk driving.
Mr Maughan’s defence barrister acceded that his shopper was “caught redhanded and really a lot worse for put on” however acknowledged he has modified his methods and is now a “caring particular person” and a “household man”.
“Harmful driving and endangerment of Gardaí are very critical offences,” stated Choose Johnson on listening to the proof.
“He drove his automobile on the patrol automobile which needed to take evasive motion. He was abusive, threatened to throw punches and behaved in an appalling method. He was a hazard to himself and to different street customers.”
He went on to explain Mr Maughan as “a Jekyll and Hyde kind character”.
“He’s a positive, law-abiding citizen when he’s sober, however an entire pest when he’s not. Nevertheless it has been talked about to a sure extent that efforts for rehabilitation have begun,” he stated.
With that, he adjourned sentencing to October on the situation that Mr Maughan enters right into a bail bond of €500 to maintain the peace and be of fine behaviour.
He’s additionally to interact with the probation service, stay intoxicant free and interact with all acceptable habit therapy.
When he reappears in October, Mr Maughan is more likely to be sentenced to 3 years in jail, with a portion of that sentence suspended ought to Choose Johnson be furnished with a constructive probation report.
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW
