Driver who caused €20,000 damage to Louth supermarket wall had ‘lucky escape’
A 21-year-old motorist caused more than €20,000 damage when he crashed his BMW into a supermarket wall, Dundalk District Court has been told.
The incident occurred in the carpark of Tesco Extra, Stapleton Drive, Dundalk, and was captured on CCTV.
Benjamin Dada, Farndreg Estate, Cox’s Demesne, Dundalk, was accused of dangerous driving. His guilty plea to the lesser charge of careless driving, which does not carry a mandatory disqualification on conviction, was accepted. He also admitted causing criminal damage.
Evidence was given that he was fully insured and this covered the €20,400 repair bill for the wall.
Footage was played in court of Mr Dada’s blue BMW 1 Series narrowly avoiding an oncoming car before crashing into the wall.
Inspector Declan Garvey said that the collision occurred on August 12, 2024 after the execution of a handbrake turn.
Judge Stephanie Coggans remarked that it was not a handbrake turn from the footage.
Inspector McGarvey said that Gardaí were aware of “antecedent behaviour”.
Solicitor Peter Lavery said that his client instructed that he remained at the scene and telephoned Gardaí.
The inspector added that the defendant, who has no previous convictions, endeavoured to move the car by tow truck and didn’t contact Gardaí until the next day.
Mr Lavery continued that Benjamin Dada had since got a job with a company in Monaghan fitting out cars and that his licence was important to him.
He was fully insured in his own car. This was driver error.
Judge Coggans imposed a €400 fine for careless driving and remanded Mr Dada on continuing bail to July 22 for confirmation that he had completed a Pro Social Driving Course which he must pay for himself.
The court took into the consideration the criminal damage matter and a summons for failing to report the incident.
The judge told him that he had a “lucky escape” and hopefully there would be no reocurrence.