Courts / Wicklow / Report
Roads offender may have been 'acting the blaggard' when he drove at garda
Summary
A judge in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found that David Moorehouse, 44, of Bray, had acted in a "moment of madness" when he drove his Toyota HiAce van toward a Garda on Old Connaught Avenue. The incident occurred after the officer had signalled the driver to stop. Moorehouse, who had 10 prior minor traffic convictions, was observed speeding, swerving, and nearly colliding with the Garda before stopping near the patrol car. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving for the July 2020 offence. The judge, Martin Nolan, accepted that Moorehouse may have been "acting the blaggard" and imposed a four‑month suspended prison sentence, directed him to offer €3,000 as a token of remorse to the Garda within three months, and disqualified him from driving for four years. The Garda was given the option to accept the money or have it donated to a charity of his choice. The case was heard on 12 March 2024.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Roads offender may have been 'acting the blaggard' when he drove at garda. Charges or matters: a count of dangerous driving on July 30, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 30, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-03-12 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a count of dangerous driving on July 30, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He imposed a four-month suspended prison sentence, after noting the mitigating features, and directed Moorehouse to offer €3,000 as a token of remorse to the garda within the next three months. The judge also disqualified Moorehouse from driving for four years.
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