Limerick teenager charged for ‘absolutely reckless driving’ on rural road

A TEENAGER has been brought before Newcastle District Court for driving recklessly up to a speed of 140 km/h.

Garda Dermot Hallett gave evidence that the juvenile - who cannot be identified publicly due to his age - was driving a BMW at speed in Newcastle West this month, and forced another car to suddenly stop.

Garda Hallett said: “A collision was hardly avoided”, that there were “a number of bends in the road” and that the teenager’s driving was “not acceptable”.

The garda detailed that the teenager reached a speed that was at a maximum of 140 km/h.

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Garda Hallett arrested the teenager and conveyed him to a garda station.

On another date this January, the teenager reached 78 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on a busy road in Limerick.

Garda Hallett detailed: “The suspect’s vehicle fled the area up the backroads and bohereens”.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican heard that the garda pursued the teenager, who was driving at speed on roads in “densely forested areas”, that were “barely wide enough for one vehicle”, with “dips and bumps”.

The car then went onto the Limerick Greenway, where parts of the road had loose chippings, and grass growing.

The teenager was also found to be driving without insurance.

Solicitor Michael O’Donnell, defending, asked Judge Carol Anne Coolican to exercise her discretion and show “compassion to juveniles before the court for the first time”.

Mr O’Donnell said in mitigation that “his parents are very concerned about his actions” and that the teenager “panicked somewhat”.

The solicitor further added “All in all young lads in the area, they wouldn’t be on these type of roads” and that the teenager “knows he’s in trouble”.

Mr O'Donnell further outlined that the teenager doesn't drink or take drugs and that “his parents have reprimanded him enough”.

The solicitor told the judge: “he knows he's in trouble”.

Prosecuting Inspector Gearóid Thompson said “in fairness to the lad, he's very pleasant to talk to”.

Judge Coolican said: “he’s in very serious trouble”, and that this was an example of “absolutely reckless driving”.

The judge ordered a pre-sanction Probation Report to be prepared for the teenager and adjourned the case to April 16.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme