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Banned, on-bail offender tried to knock down garda during pursuit
Summary
Mark Taylor (31), of no fixed abode in the Tallaght area, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed on December 9, 2019. Taylor, who had 142 previous convictions including 24 for dangerous driving, pleaded guilty to three counts of dangerous driving, one count of endangerment, one count of criminal damage, and one count of driving with no insurance. He was already disqualified from driving for 25 years and on bail for another driving-related offence at the time. Judge Melanie Greally noted the extreme risk to road users during the high-speed pursuit, which involved Taylor allegedly attempting to run over a garda and ramming two patrol cars. The court heard that Taylor drove over 100km/h, crossed onto the wrong side of the road, and caused €12,000 in damage to garda vehicles. Judge Greally handed down an eight-year sentence, suspending the final three years on conditions. Taylor was banned from driving for life. As a condition of the suspended portion, he was ordered to enter a drug rehabilitation programme upon release and complete it. The sentence was backdated to when Taylor first went into custody on these offences.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Banned, on-bail offender tried to knock down garda during pursuit. Charges or matters: three counts of dangerous driving, one count of endangerment, one count of criminal damage and one count of driving with no insurance in various locations in Dublin on December 9, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 9, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-10-12 Publication
Why: At one point, Taylor caused another vehicle to leave the road in order to avoid a collision, the court heard. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of dangerous driving, one count of endangerment, one count of criminal damage and one count of driving with no insurance in various locations in Dublin on December 9, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mark Taylor (31) had already been disqualified from driving for 25 years and was on bail for another driving-related offence when he engaged in the high-speed chase, which saw him repeatedly crossing onto the wrong side of the road. As part of the conditions of his suspended sentence, Judge Greally ordered Taylor to go straight into a drug rehabilitation programme upon his release and to complete this programme.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence
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