Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen who fled from checkpoint spared jail
Summary
In a case heard at Balbriggan District Court, 19‑year‑old Scott Chapman was charged with failing to stop at a Garda checkpoint, dangerous driving and driving without insurance after he drove a red Honda Civic at 110 km/h through Lusk village on 4 May. He fled on foot after the checkpoint and was arrested shortly thereafter. Chapman pleaded guilty. The judge, Dermot Dempsey, disqualified him from driving for two years and fined him €300 for dangerous driving, and for an additional six months' disqualification and €300 fine for driving without insurance. The court did not impose a custodial sentence, citing the teenager's lack of prior convictions and the brief nature of the offence. The decision was influenced by the defendant's father's testimony, but the judge emphasised that the outcome was based on the facts presented, not the father's remarks.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen who fled from checkpoint spared jail. Charges or matters: failing to stop at a checkpoint, dangerous driving and driving without insurance on May 4th on the R132. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 4th Incident
- 2013-11-21 Publication
Why: A TEENAGER who sped through a village after he drove away from a garda checkpoint before fleeing on foot because he had no insurance was placed in temporary custody at Balbriggan District Court while the sitting judge considered what to do with him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: failing to stop at a checkpoint, dangerous driving and driving without insurance on May 4th on the R132 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Dermot Dempsey told Chapman after he disqualified him from driving for two and a half years that he should count himself lucky he is not going to Mountjoy for a few days as he had considered leaving the matter over for a few days. Judge Dempsey remarked that Chapman could have 'caused a garda or member of the public their lives.' He said he could not see his way around a custodial sentence and it was only after Chapman's father spoke in court that Judge Dempsey decided not to hand Chapman a jail sentence.
Places mentioned
- Balbriggan
- Balbriggan District Court
Topics
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