Courts / Dublin / Report
Banned driver who 'just panicked' when he saw gardai is jailed
Summary
Martin O'Brien, 40, of Brookwood Heights, Artane, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment and a five‑year driving disqualification for driving without insurance. He had 68 prior convictions, 40 of which were traffic offences. O'Brien admitted to one count of endangerment on Cheeverstown Road, six counts of dangerous driving in Tallaght, and one count of driving without insurance. He claimed he had panicked when an unmarked Garda car appeared and drove at speeds between 80 and 120 km/h, using bus lanes, mounting footpaths, breaking red lights and overtaking dangerously. The car, falsely registered, eventually crashed into a parked BMW. The judge noted no injuries but significant danger to other road users. The sentence was back‑dated to 4 June, when O'Brien was taken into custody for the offence. Martin O'Brien pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Banned driver who 'just panicked' when he saw gardai is jailed. Charges or matters: one count of endangerment at Cheeverstown Road in Tallaght on June 6 this year and to six counts of dangerous driving in the Tallaght area, along with one count of driving without insurance on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 6 Other
- June 4 Incident
- 2022-12-21 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of endangerment at Cheeverstown Road in Tallaght on June 6 this year and to six counts of dangerous driving in the Tallaght area, along with one count of driving without insurance on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Martin O'Brien (40) of Brookwood Heights, Artane, Dublin 5, told gardaí on his arrest: "Sorry, I had a bench warrant and a ban from driving, I just panicked." He was sentenced to three years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today and was disqualified from driving for five years for driving with no insurance. The sentence was backdated to June 4 of this year, when O'Brien went into custody on this offence.
Places mentioned
- Brookwood Heights
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Cheeverstown Road
- Tallaght
- Kiltalown Road
- Cheeverstown Road
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request