Repeat drink driver fined after crashing into Wicklow roundabout on St Patrick’s Day
The Wicklow PeopleA repeat drink driver, who admitted crashing his car into a roundabout on St Patrick’s Day then leaving the scene, has been fined after pleading guilty to careless driving
Patrick Connors (46), of Farrenkelly Close, Delgany, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court charged with one count of dangerous driving and having no valid insurance.
Solicitor for the accused, Dermot Hickey, submitted that his client was willing to plead guilty to a charge of careless driving, but said that gardaí had initially shown some reluctance before the plea was accepted by the prosecution.
Dangerous driving is one of the most serious road traffic offences before a District Court and can carry significant penalties, including disqualification from driving, fines and imprisonment.
A conviction requires proof that the standard of driving created a substantial risk of harm to others.
Careless driving, by contrast, applies where a driver’s conduct falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful motorist, but does not reach the threshold of dangerous driving.
Sergeant Mick Dee told the court that at 3:50 pm on March 17, Mr Connors crashed his car into a roundabout at Farrenkelly, near Kilpedder.
Gardaí were called to the scene, but found nobody present. The accused returned approximately 25 minutes later, where a breath sample was taken, and he admitted he had been drink driving, an offence for which he is currently serving a disqualification.
It was noted that the vehicle was heavily damaged, with photographs handed into court showing a pole protruding through one of the tyres.
The court heard that Mr Connors struck a stop sign prior to leaving the road, with his own account of events forming part of the basis for the original dangerous driving charge.
He has multiple previous convictions for road traffic offences, including several for drink driving.
Mr Hickey provided some background to the incident, with the court hearing that it occurred on the night of St Patrick’s Day. He noted that the vehicle had not been written-off.
However, in mitigation, counsel said that the defendant’s wife suffers from depression and that his current driving ban has caused “significant stress”.
Judge Mary McAveety was told that no skid marks were observed at the scene. She said that due to the accused’s early guilty plea she would “reluctantly” impose a fine of €500.
“You are so lucky nobody was around to be injured as it was St Patrick’s Day,” said the judge.