Navan man with 169 convictions collided with patrol car

A DRIVER of a car accelerated away from a patrol car which went to stop him and engaged in dangerous manoeuvres forcing traffic to take evasive action.

The garda lost sight of the vehicle which later collided with the side of the patrol car on a bog road.

The episode which took place on February 14 last year resulted in Martin Reilly of Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan being charged with dangerous driving at Teltown, Donaghpatrick, Navan.

The 34 year-old had 169 previous convictions and was serving a four year jail term, Trim District Court heard.

The court was told that a blood sample showed he had cocaine in his system, and he had no insurance or driving licence or NCT certificate. Judge Eirinn McKiernan imposed a four month jail sentence on the dangerous driving charge, which on a plea from the defendant she reduced to two months. She also disqualified him from driving for ten years

Garda Kyle Quegan related on the date he was on patrol when he observed a car in the Blackcastle area. He turned to stop the car which accelerated away.

The vehicle crossed continuous white lines on a number of occasions, causing other vehicles to take evasive action.

He lost sight of the vehicle briefly. It drove down a bog road, reversing and then drove forward and collided with the side of the patrol car.

Barrister Paul Noctor said the defendant had two young children. He asked the Judge not to increase the time the defendant was serving in jail.

The defendant pleading with the Judge to not lengthen his stay in jail, told her he was addicted to drugs since he was 14.

The Judge said it was a very serious matter and ordered the two months to run consecutive to the time the defendant was serving.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme