Longford man who produced knife in N4 road rage incident told gardaí: "I could have handled it better'

“I could have handled it better,” Valquir Borges (52) of 6 The Hawthorns, Clonbalt Woods, Longford told Gardaí in an interview about his reaction to a driving incident.

Mr Borges was before the court on a charge that on September 23, 2022 at N4, Edgeworthstown, Longford he was verbally abusive to Martin Devine and in the course of a dispute produced an article capable of inflicting serious injury.

Investigating officer, Garda Pauric Nolan, recounted to the court the details of the occurrence. He said dash cam footage of the matter was reviewed as part of the investigation. The incident happened on the N4 at Edgeworthstown when the defendant overtook a truck driven by Martin Devine. As the car passed the truck driver felt the manoeuvre was dangerous and sounded his horn.

Mr Borges pulled in his car and Mr Devine also pulled in. As Mr Devine exited from his vehicle he saw the defendant exit his car with a knife in his hand. The truck driver returned to his vehicle and got back in the cab. Mr Borges, first returned to his car then approached the truck and stood at the door and shouted at Mr Devine.

In her cross examination of the Garda witness the counsel for the defendant, Andrea Callan BL, put it to the officer that the truck driver had got out of his vehicle first. Garda Nolan said both men exited their vehicles at roughly the same time.

Ms Calen put it to the witness that the defendant was not “at the door of the truck brandishing the knife” and that the item was “not visible” at any stage other than when he first exited the car, Garda Nolan agreed.

The barrister informed the judge that Mr Borges was the victim of an assault in Roscommon in 2018 and that this had an ongoing effect on him.

Prosecuting Sergeant, Enda Daly, informed Judge Bernadette Owens that the defendant had four previous convictions; one for assault and two other were minor road traffic offences.

Ms Callen said her client, who is originally from Brazil, has lived in Ireland for the last 16 years. On the date of the incident he was in a stressed and anxious state as he was going to Dublin for a job interview.

The barrister said Mr Borges acknowledged he should not have made the overtaking manoeuvrer, but the reaction of the other driver provoked “a flight of fight” response. She said the defendant accepted he completely overreacted to the incident.

Addressing the reason for having a knife in his car the barrister said Mr Borges was using his car as “a camper van” as he was having difficulties at home. She said barbecue is a part of Brazilian culture and he had the knife in his vehicle and was using it for cooking. When he got out of the car with the knife he immediately regretted it and put it back. Ms Callen said the defendant had put the knife away before he approached the truck.

Ms Callen pointed out that her client had cooperated at all times and in an interview with Gardaí said: “I could have handled it better.”

The barrister said media coverage of the incident resulted in her client losing two jobs, but had managed to get another job as a driver. She said Mr Borges is the father of three children and contributes to society.

Ms Callen said her client had “certainly has learned from the incident” and instructed her to extend his apology to Mr Devine. The barrister asked the judge to consider not imposing a driving ban as his ability to provide for his family was dependent on his licence.

Judge Owens asked Sg Daly if the defendant was on bail at the time, the prosecuting officer confirmed Mr Borges was.

Noting the defendant's early plea and admissions in interview the judge said she took “a particularly serious view” of the fact Mr Borges took the knife from the vehicle.

Judge Owens registered a conviction and fined the defendant €600 with five month to pay and imposed a qualification of one year.

Recognisances was set in the event of an appeal on the defendant's own bond of €250, a legal aid certificate was approved for counsel.