Young Offaly farmer driving with no insurance fled from Garda checkpoint

A YOUNG farmer with no insurance panicked when he saw a Garda checkpoint on the road, and fled the scene, last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court was told.

The defendant was Ronan Mahon, aged 23 years of age, with an address of Crinkle, Birr.

A Garda Sergeant told the court that Mr Mahon drove at 100kph on a narrow 80kph road when getting away from the checkpoint.

The defending solicitor Donal Farrelly said his client was pleading guilty, but was asking that the two counts of dangerous driving which happened on the same day be reduced to careless driving.

"He had no insurance," commented Mr Farrelly.

"That is the reason why he tried to escape. It was a foolish reason. He drives silage tractors and trailers for farmers and the loss of his driving licence would mean he would lose his job. It's important to point out as well that no one was endangered by his driving as he tried to escape."

Judge Andrew Cody adjourned the case to March 20 next.

"If he gives €2,500 to the Court Poor Box on that date then I will consider reducing the charges to careless driving and I will consider not disqualifying him from driving."