Teenager in the Midlands caused €19,000 worth of damage when he crashed his mother’s car and left the scene

A student who caused €19,000 in damage when he crashed his mother’s car and left the scene was left with a three month sentence hanging over him. 

Silviu Junca, 19, of 12 Gandon Close, Fairgreen, Portlaoise is accused of hit and run, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, having no insurance or licence at Carmody Way, Fairgreen on July 6 last year. 

Garda McCabe told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the defendant hit a car and drove away from the scene at Carmody Way on the date in question. 

“The damage done to the vehicle was €19,000,” said Garda McCabe. 

Gardai identified the vehicle and the defendant was questioned and asked to produce insurance and a licence. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had been cooperative. 

“There is no prospect of him dealing with that level of compensation,” she said. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was a student who just completed a QQI Level 5 course in business.

She said he took his mother’s car and was uninsured. She said she was only recently instructed by the defendant who earns €80 a week as a part time sales assistant in a shop.   

Judge Andrew Cody said if the defendant was taking the case seriously he would have instructed a solicitor weeks ago. He asked again about the compensation. 

Garda McCabe said she understood an insurance company had compensated the injured party.

Judge Cody sentenced the man to three months in prison and imposed fines totalling €1,200. 

Ms Fitzpatrick argued that he shouldn’t receive  an immediate custodial sentence as he had no previous and entered a guilty plea. 

“What does he expect, a slap on the wrist,” Judge Cody asked. He said the man can’t go around smashing into other people’s cars. 

On listening to Ms Fitzpatrick, Judge Cody didn’t impose the sentence and said he would give the man some time. 

“One month to allow him to put a proposal to the court,” said Judge Cody. 

He adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on June 15 for a proposal from the defendant.