Limerick mum tells judge her teenage son won't drive for 'a long time'

THE mother of a Limerick teenager is “adamant” her son won’t get behind the wheel of a car for a long time after he was prosecuted for dangerous driving.

The young man cannot be named as he was 17 at the time of the incident which occurred on the main N21 at Templeglantine.

The defendant pleaded guilty at Newcastle West Court to dangerous driving.

Inspector Gearoid Thompson, prosecuting, said one of his colleagues, Garda Reidy, was travelling on the N21 at 6.10pm on May 30, 2022

“She observed a vehicle being driven at high speed. It forced her to take evasive action to avoid a collision. She contacted colleagues including Garda Hunt who was on the N21. He was overtaken in his own car in a dangerous manner. He observed dangerous overtaking. The defendant was subsequently stopped and arrested by Garda Eric O’Shea. The accused was 17 at the time,” said Insp Thompson.

Ted McCarthy, solicitor for the teenager, said his client “accepts he was completely out of order”.

“He didn’t have the vehicle that long. I’m not asking he be excused on the enthusiasm of youth. He overtook at places he shouldn’t have and drove too fast. He doesn’t have a vehicle now. His mother is adamant he won’t get behind the wheel for a long time. He got a car too young. He has no previous convictions,” said Mr McCarthy.

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Judge Carol Anne Coolican said the defendant came to the attention of three gardai who “had to take evasive action to avoid a collision”.

She convicted and fined the teenager €250 and disqualified him from driving for one year for dangerous driving.

The judge also handed down a fine of €140 for driving while unaccompanied (by a qualified driver).