Longford District Court: Bench warrant issued for dangerous driver

A bench warrant was issued for a defendant convicted of dangerous driving at Longford District Court. Martin Doyle (21), of Bay 1 Halting Site, Tuam Road, Galway was convicted of dangerous driving at Clondra Longford four years ago.
Mr Doyle, represented in proceedings by solicitor John Quinn, failed to show for his court case. Outlining details of the events of Sunday, September 27, 2020 Garda Leo Sheil told the court Longford Garda station received calls about the suspicious activity of a grey Nissan Micra.

At 12:20pm officers were on patrol, driving towards Longford on the Strokestown Road. As the Garda car was near D&E McHugh they saw a grey Nissan that matched the description of the reported vehicle.
As they passed the car Gda Sheil said he got a clear look at the driver, Mr Doyle. The patrol car stopped and turned to follow the other vehicle. The Nissan took off at speed.
The witness said the car overtook other vehicles, moving into the opposite lane causing oncoming drivers to take evasive action.

Garda Sheil told Judge Deirdre Gearty that just after Clondra the Nissan pulled into the hard shoulder at Fisherstown to turn right, but could not take the corner. The car lost control and had come to a stop when the patrol car arrived.
The officer said he saw the driver jump from the front seat to the back seat, and when he cautioned Mr Doyle the defendant said he was not the driver.
“We saw him getting from the driver's seat to the back, no one got out of the car while it was stopped and there were now three in the back seat,” the witness told the judge.

Garda Sheil said one aspect of the matter was the driver was going at very high speed through busy areas.
The second witness, Garda John Handley, corroborated the evidence of his colleague. Gda Handley added that he also saw the driver and recognised him from a previous encounter.

Solicitor John Quinn said his defence was hampered by the failure of his client to show up for the hearing.
Mr Quinn put it to the witnesses that his client bore a resemblance to another person in the car, and the officers agreed, but stated they were sure Martin Doyle was the driver.

Sergeant Mark Mahon told the judge that the defendant was not deemed suitable for a caution by the juvenile liaison officer.
Having considered the facts of the case Judge Deirdre Gearty convicted the defendant of the dangerous driving charge and issued a bench warrant for Mr Doyle.