Man banned from driving 11 times crashed into home after Garda pursuit

A 44 year old man who has been disqualified from driving 11 times was in court after driving into the front of someone’s home following a car chase with Gardai.

Andris Paucis from Ravel Grange, Dunleer was in Trim Circuit Court on 6th March charged with criminal damage and possession of a knife. Other matters in relation to the same incident are to be heard in Trim District Court.

Detective Garda Paul Cullen told the court on 13th April last year he was in an unmarked patrol car at Clonmagadden Road, Navan. Gardai observed a car being driven by Mr Paucis with his partner in the passenger seat. The vehicle was noticeably in disrepair and when Gardai checked the registration it was found to have no tax or insurance.

Gardai activated their blue lights and siren and Mr Paucis then turned into Clonmagadden Fort Estate, went onto the grass verge, and did a U turn before driving away, failing to stop. Gardai followed the vehicle which was driving in excess of 100km/hr heading in the direction of Ratholdren road.

The court heard Mr Paucis continued through a busy crossroads going onto the main road to Kells which forced oncoming traffic to stop. He continued driving through Phoenixtown where the accused overtook a van on a white line while on the brow of a hill.

Garda Cullen told the court that at Bohermeen, Navan Mr Paucis drove into a person’s driveway and jumped out of the vehicle while it was still moving. The car rolled into the front wall of the house, causing over €20,491 worth of damage.

The accused and his partner fled into a shed in the house’s back garden where they were arrested by Gardai. He was searched at the scene and found in possession of cannabis and a knife.

The court heard a man in the home that was hit by the car heard a bang when it happened and thought it was a gunshot. It caused damage to the chimney and windows, a cavity wall collapsed, and there was external and internal plaster cracks. The wall had to be removed and reconstructed.

Mr Paucis has 45 previous convictions and has been disqualified from driving 11 times, most recently on 5th December 2023. He was on bail and disqualified from driving at the time of this offence.

Defending Barrister James O’Brien told the court his client was acting in a reckless and foolish manner instead of having the intent to cause damage in this instance.

The court heard he is a Latvian father of three and has a history of working in farming and construction but hasn’t been working in the past three years.

Judge John Martin said his disqualifications have “meant nothing to you” and it was lucky that the car rolled into house without colliding while the accused was driving.

Judge Martin said the accused didn’t apologise for his actions and “there isn’t one penny of compensation”. The judge also said there was no explanation given to the court as to why Mr Paucis was in possession of a knife.

Mr Paucis was given a two and a half year prison sentence. He was also disqualified from driving for 25 years but the judge said in relation to this “I’m not sure if he’ll pay any attention to it”.

Following the accused receiving his conviction he had to be forcibly removed from the court as he struggled against a prison officer and a Garda.