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Jail for disqualified driver who rammed garda patrol car
Summary
Michael Walsh, 32, of Cherry Orchard Crescent, Ballyfermot, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three years' imprisonment, with the final 20 months suspended. He pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving and driving without insurance on 18 December 2014. Walsh, who had been disqualified from driving for ten years since August 2012, drove erratically at 6 am, refusing to stop when instructed by Sergeant Richard Williams. He drove into a Garda patrol car, crashing head‑on, then reversed and rammed the vehicle three more times in an attempt to force it out of his way. Garda Ciaran Garry removed Walsh from the vehicle, handcuffed him and took him to the local station. Walsh had previously been intoxicated and had not presented valid tax, insurance or NCT certificates. The court noted his guilty plea and expression of remorse, but also his contempt for the road traffic code and the serious nature of his conduct.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for disqualified driver who rammed garda patrol car. Charges or matters: endangerment, dangerous driving and having no insurance on December 18, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 18, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-10-12 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: endangerment, dangerous driving and having no insurance on December 18, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Walsh to three years in prison but suspended the final 20 months, taking into account his plea of guilty and expression of remorse. Judge Nolan said it was a "sseverely aggravating factor" that Walsh was driving while disqualified and that he had shown a certain level of contempt for the road traffic code.
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