Van driver in Roscrea 'stuck middle finger up at driver he was overtaking then slowed down'

A van driver who stuck up his middle finger after he pulled out of his lane to overtake on the motorway has been fined for driving without due care and attention by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court.

James Mullally of Whitepark, Roscrea, pleaded to the offence at Carrigatoher, Nenagh, on October 29, 2021.

Insp Amanda Reynolds told the court that the injured party was overtaking on the M7 when a van pulled out in front of them.

The driver of the van then stuck up his middle finger at the injured party.

She said the van driver then reduced his speed causing the injured party to slow significantly.

The court heard that Mr Mullally had no previous convictions.

“What was your client thinking?” Judge MacGrath asked solicitor David Peters, for Mr Mullally.

Mr Peters said that his client went to overtake and was satisfied there was sufficient room.

Mr Mullally “took exception to the injured party flashing their lights at him and gave them the middle finger”, said Mr Peters.

The solicitor said his client accepted he had slowed but that was because there were cars on the inside lane and he couldn’t move in.

He said Mr Mullally would say that the injured party then gave him the middle finger.

“Neither party would seem to have covered themselves in glory,” he said.

Mr Peters said that his client had been driving since they were 17 years old and got their full licence at 18 years of age.

Mr Mullally was now 39 years old with no previous convictions under the Road Traffic Act.

Mr Peters said that Mr Mullally, who was self-employed, required his vehicle for work and apologised for what he had done.

Judge MacGrath said that according to the injured party's victim impact statement, they had been “put in fear”.

She fined Mr Mullally €500 and set recognizance in his own bond of €250.