Courts / Dublin / Report

Serial driving offender claims he was under threat from nephew

Date
2021-12-03

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the case of Dubliner James Maughan, who pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving, and driving without insurance at locations around Blanchardstown and Mulhuddart on February 27, 2020. Prosecution evidence detailed a high-speed incident where Maughan drove straight at a garda, forcing the officer to jump aside, before continuing at speed through red lights and into oncoming traffic. Gardaí ultimately abandoned the pursuit due to the serious risk posed to the public. Maughan claimed his 20-year-old nephew, who was a passenger, threatened him with a Taser, compelling him to drive. Defence counsel highlighted Maughan's diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and argued the nephew was the ringleader. The court noted Maughan's extensive criminal history, including 174 previous convictions and prior driving bans in 2011 and 2018. Judge Pauline Codd described the record as horrendous but adjourned the matter to February 14 to allow time for an assessment by the Probation Service. No sentence was imposed at this stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Serial driving offender claims he was under threat from nephew. Charges or matters: endangerment, dangerous driving and driving without insurance at locations around Blanchardstown and Mulhuddart on February 27, 2020. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

February 27, 2020 Incident
February 14 Adjournment
2021-12-03 Publication

Why: He drove towards Mulhuddart, driving at speed up the main street there before gardaí decided to stop the pursuit because it had become too dangerous and posed a serious risk to the public, Gda Farrell said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Dubliner James Maughan

Defendant

Charges: endangerment, dangerous driving and driving without insurance at locations around Blanchardstown and Mulhuddart on February 27, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She adjourned the case to February 14 next to allow time for an assessment by the Probation Service.