Courts / Mayo / Report

Disqualified driver nearly collided with walkers during chase

Date
2018-10-22
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Kiltimagh
County
Mayo

Summary

A man from Kiltimagh, County Mayo, has failed in his appeal against a five-year prison sentence imposed for dangerous driving. Martin Maughan (32) was convicted by jury at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court in June 2017 of two counts of endangerment following incidents in the Kiltimagh area on 11 February 2016. During the offences, Maughan reversed a vehicle at speed, nearly striking two pedestrians on an evening walk, subsequently drove with excessive speed whilst crossing continuous white lines and navigated a sharp bend on the incorrect side of the road, forcing oncoming vehicles onto the verge. He was subject to multiple driving bans at the time and held 85 previous convictions, including 54 road traffic matters. The Court of Appeal, sitting at Castlebar, dismissed the appeal today, finding the sentence severe but not so severe as to warrant intervention, given the gravity of offending and his extensive driving-related criminal history. Martin Maughan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Disqualified driver nearly collided with walkers during chase. Charges or matters: two counts of endangerment at a number of locations in the Kiltimagh area on February 11, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Case subjects

Martin Maughan

Appellant

Charges: two counts of endangerment at a number of locations in the Kiltimagh area on February 11, 2016 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to five years imprisonment by Judge Rory McCabe on June 14, 2017. Mr Justice Birmingham said the Court of Appeal accepted the sentence imposed was a severe one and individual members of the court may have imposed a somewhat lesser sentence.

Places mentioned

Residence
Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Castlebar
  • Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Appeal

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