Driver who drove at 147km/h on main Sligo/Dublin road is fined at District Court.
The Sligo ChampionA 33-year-old man who drove at 147km/h was fined €320 at Sligo District Court.
Aaron Joseph Sherlock (33) of Arkwright Mews, Milton Keynes, England, was charged with exceeding the speed limit of 100km/h at the N4 Drumfin on August 7, 2025.
The defendant who was represented by Mr John Anderson, solicitor, contested the charge as he argued that he did not receive the Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN) in the post.
Garda Conor McDonagh told the court that the defendant was detected travelling at a speed of 147km/h. The weather conditions were dry and there was moderate traffic on the road.
Garda McDonagh handed in proof of postage of the FCPN to the court.
Judge Cunningham found the facts proven. She fined Sherlock €320.
Also before the court was Shane Francis Gabriel Flaherty (35) of Rockfield East, Kilkerra, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway who was charged with exceeding the speed limit of 100km/h on the N4, Drumfin, Sligo on August 23, 2025. The defendant who was represented by Mr Anderson, solicitor, claimed he did not receive the FCPN in the post.
Garda Denis Fitzgerald told the court that he detected Flaherty driving at 133km/h. He added that he stopped the defendant at a location near Castlebaldwin.
Garda Fitzgerald handed in proof of postage of the FCPN to the court.
Judge Cunningham found the facts proven and fined Flaherty €320.
Also appearing at Sligo District Court was Algimantis Brizinskas (39) of Old Eden House, Eden, Portnoo, Co. Donegal who was charged with stealing two bottles of Hugo Boss fragrances valued at €101 from Grange Pharmacy, Grange, Sligo on October 10, 2023.
Sergeant David McDonagh told the court that the defendant was identified on CCTV and that the property was not recovered.
The court heard that Brizinskas had 15 previous convictions.
Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that his client had returned to Ireland recently and that he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Judge Cunningham noted that the majority of the Brizinskas’s previous convictions were road traffic matters. She added that these were very serious matters and that if Brizinskas continued to offend, he would reach the end of the road. She fined the defendant €350.
Jason Greene (51) of no fixed abode was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Temple St, Sligo on March 31.
Sergeant McDonagh told the court that at 9:58pm, gardaí received a report of a man knocking on doors in an aggressive manner. He was subsequently arrested and brought to Sligo Garda Station.
The court heard that Greene had five previous convictions.
Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that his client had been homeless for the last number of years and that he was knocking on doors to try and get a bed for the night. He asked Judge Cunningham to fine Greene a minimal amount if possible.
Judge Cunningham fined the defendant €100.
Charlene Smith (45) of Cranmore, Sligo was charged with driving without insurance at McNeil Drive, Cranmore, Sligo on October 7, 2025.
Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that her client had purchased a new vehicle and that she took out a new policy of insurance the following day.
She explained that Smith was helping her neighbour with the shopping by bringing them to the supermarket when she took the foolish decision to take the car. Ms Spellman added that her client knew the seriousness of driving without insurance.
Judge Cunningham fined Smith €250. She did not disqualify her from driving due to her having no previous convictions and the special circumstances outlined by her solicitor.
Pawel Krzystof Bak (36) of Summerhill Village, Sligo was charged with driving without insurance at Circular Road, Sligo on September 13, 2025.
Mr Mullaney told Judge Cunningham that his client was working when he was stopped and that he had since gotten insurance. He added that Bak routinely gives his father lifts to the hospital for treatment for his cancer. Mr Mullaney asked Judge Cunningham to exercise her discretion.
Judge Cunningham fined Bak €250. She did not disqualify him from driving due to him having no previous convictions and the special circumstances outlined by his solicitor.
Chloe Earlay (21) of Silver Roe, Boyle, Co. Roscommon was charged with driving without insurance at Carrowkeel, Sligo on July 20, 2025.
Ms Spellman told Judge Cunningham that it was an unfortunate situation. She explained that Earlay paid for her insurance through direct debit and that at the time she was attending college and paid all the college fees herself.
Ms Spellman continued that Earlay then did not have enough money in her back account and that the payment failed for her insurance.
Ms Spellman said that Earlay was a qualified social care worker and that her licence is quite important to her. She added that a conviction could case difficulty in relation to Earlay’s work.
Judge Cunningham said that she does not have any discretion for driving without insurance charges and that the court’s hands were tied. She fined Earlay €250 but did not disqualify her from driving due to her having no previous convictions and the special circumstances outlined by her solicitor.
- Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.