Dangerous driver in Midlands was on wrong side of road, overtaking a line of vehicles when he met Garda patrol car head on

A driver who was travelling at high speed, overtaking a line of vehicles, when he met a patrol car head on will be assessed by Probation Services to see if he is a suitable candidate for community service.

Neil O'Boyle (28) of Rathroeen, Balline, Mayo was before the Longford District Court on five charges. Three related to an incident in Longford, while two were from Roscommon.

Mr O'Boyle entered a guilty plea to charges of giving a false name when Garda Edward Flanagan made a lawful demand, driving without insurance and engaging in dangerous driving at Moneylagan, Longford.

Charges of dangerous driving at Bridge St, Strokestown, Roscommon and failing to keep a court appointment on October 23, 2024 will return for hearing before Roscommon District Court on January 22, 2025.

Outlining details of the incident that brought Mr O'Boyle before the court Sergeant Enda Daly said on October 8, 2024 at 11:55am Longford Garda Station received a call regarding a speeding motorist on the Strokestown to Longford road.

A patrol car was dispatched to the N4 at Aughadeignan, Longford, where they encountered the blue Audi being driven by Mr O'Boyle. Officers estimated the defendant was driving in the region of 180kph in a 100 zone.

The defendant was stopped and arrested for dangerous driving, and it transpired he had no insurance. Mr O'Boyle had only recently been allowed to drive as he received a two year road ban at Castlebar Circuit Court in 2022 when he was disqualified for drink driving.

Solicitor Brid Mimnagh told Judge Bernadette Owens that her client is a heavy machinery operator who works odd days in Dublin on groundworks for construction projects.

Ms Mimnagh said her client accepted his driving was dangerous at the time, but pointed out that the approximate speed was a visual estimation by Gardaí rather than a measurement made by a calibrated instrument.

Sgt Daly told the court the defendant was driving on the wrong side of the road, overtaking a line of cars when he met the oncoming squad car, forcing the driver of the Garda vehicle to take evasive actions.

Addressing the court Ms Mimnagh explained that Mr O'Boyle's father passed away when he was 18 years old, and he took this loss extremely hard.

“He is asking that you not take away his liberty,” the solicitor appealed, “he was planning to go to Australia, but his opportunities are limited upon conviction.”

Ms Mimnagh said her client accepted he was the “author of his own misfortune” adding that at the time he was going for a job interview.

“He knows he will have a significant disqualification and he will have to take it on the chin,” Ms Mimnagh said.

Having noted the facts of the case and the early plea by the defendant, Judge Owens said she would direct a probation report.
The probation assessment will include the condition that Mr O'Boyle undertake a pro-social driving course and a request for a community service order assessment.

If suitable for community service the defendant will undertake 150 hours in lieu of five months in prison.

Judge Owens directed that Mr O'Boyle enter a new €200 bond with the condition that he not drive in a public place.

The defendant was then remanded on continuing bail to return before Longford District Court on March 18, 2025.