Motorist in Midlands jailed after smashing through motorway barrier with gardai in pursuit

A man who fled a motorway checkpoint and smashed through a toll barrier with gardai in pursuit has been jailed.

Shane Monks, 30, of 24 Limerick Street, Roscrea, Co Tipperary admitted to dangerous driving, criminal damage and having no insurance on June 3 last year. 

Detective Garda Paul Kelly said a car stopped short of a garda checkpoint on the M7 in Laois at 1.30pm on the date in question before accelerating away at speed.  As gardai pursued it drove through the barrier of the toll plaza causing it to fall down. 

The car was later found abandoned and it contained the defendant’s identification. He was arrested and questioned and admitted the offence, said Det Kelly. He said the defendant had 22 previous convictions. 

Solicitor Josphine Fitzpatrick said her client had been addicted to cocaine and had planned to pay a drug debt with the car but was aware he wasn’t insured. 

She said he “has it all to do today to convince the court he shouldn’t go to prison right now.” 

 After the offence the defendant still had a drug debt but he had since gotten a job and paid it off, she told the court. Ms Fitzpatrick said her client’s last conviction was from 2019.  She said he was holding down a job and supporting his partner.  She noted a recent correspondence she had received from the man. 

“He said I love being back at work and I feel now my life has purpose,” she remarked. 

Judge Andrew Cody said he couldn’t overlook the 22 previous convictions and the fact it was his fifth offence for no insurance. 

He gave the man a three month sentence for dangerous driving, fined him €1,000 and disqualified him from driving for 15 years. He imposed a three month sentence for having no insurance,  disqualified him for 15 years and fined him €1,000 and a further €200 for criminal damage to the Midlink Toll Plaza along with a 15 year disqualification and a €200 fine for driving without a licence. 

Judge Cody fixed recognisance in case of appeal with a condition that the defendant not get behind the wheel of a car if  he takes it up.