Kinnegad man pretended he was a garda to evade paying taxi fare

A young man from Kinnegad pretended to be a Garda and said he would pay later for a taxi fare. Jamie Coey of the Lodge, Killaskillen, Kinnegad got into the taxi, and stated he was a member of Garda Siochana and he lost his card to pay for the fare, Trim District Court.

The 21 year-old pleaded guilty to this offence, one of a handful which he admitted on Tuesday last. The others concerned the theft of fuel, driving licence and motoring insurance matters, and failing to appear in court on three occasions.

It was stated that the defendant had 28 previous convictions, and was in custody since 21st October last

Judge Eirinn McKiernan reluctantly said she would impose a four month jail sentence, suspending it for 18 months subject to the defendant entering a probation supervision bond for 12 months on the insurance charge. She also on the same charge would disqualify him from driving for four years.

Court Presenter Sergeant Cathal Brady recalled that the taxi incident occurred on 27th March 2022 at Aston Quay, Dublin. He produced what looked like a Garda badge.

The Sergeant said he undertook and failed to produce motor insurance and driving licence documents on 15th January.

On 14th May he was charged with failing to appear on court on three occasions.

The fuel theft took place on 10th June last at Applegreen on the M4 westbound at Carbury, Kildare.

Defence solicitor Maurice Regan said the defendant had a serious medical condition and was just being stupid over the last two or three years. He didn’t know whether it was a reaction to the condition.

The defendant questioned about his behaviour by the Judge, replied it was due to stupidity, naivety and recklessness.

The Judge adjourned the case to Thursday 13th November, indicating what she would do, which included taking into account the other offences.