Speeding Longford driver tried to evade Gardaí in estate close to playing kids

A rogue Longford town driver, who had several cars seized and tried to evade Gardaí by driving at high speed in a residential area has been directed to make progress on over 180 hours of outstanding community service.

Michael Dempsey of 92 McEoin Park pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence on December 27, 2024.

Sergeant Enda McNulty said Gardaí were on patrol in Longford town at 4.30pm when they observed a black 2010 Ford Focus driving in the direction of Park Road towards Farnagh Hill.

"Garda Colin Goldrick identified the driver as Michael Dempsey and having observed the vehicle Gardaí turned the car in the direction of Farnagh and started following the defendant."

Sgt McNulty said Gardaí witnessed the driver "pick up dangerous speed in the vehicle and attempt to evade" officers.

"The vehicle approached a zebra crossing at high speed failing to observe an elderly female attempting to cross the said zebra crossing.

"The vehicle proceeded to drive through in a dangerous manner and it took a sharp right turn to Park Villas estate.

"As Gardaí entered the estate young children were playing on the side footpath.

"Gardaí lost sight of the vehicle due to his dangerous speed in a built-up residential area."

Sgt McNulty said a short time later officers observed the vehicle abandoned in the middle of the estate in an unsafe manner and the vehicle was subsequently seized.

Garda Goldrick made a lawful demand for the defendant to produce his drivers licence, learner permit and insurance certificate to a station of his choice, but no documents were produced.

Mr Dempsey also pleaded guilty to driving offences on April 15 this year, at Killashee Road Townparks, Longford.

He was charged with failing to produce his driver’s license when requested by Garda Alan Doherty, failing to produce it at a garda station within ten days, not holding a driver’s licence, driving without insurance, and no insurance disc.

Solicitor Frank Gearty, defending, said that a community service assessment was carried out on his client and it deemed him suitable, however, there was an impediment in relation to hours due to the fact he was only eligible for 44 hours because he still has 196 hours outstanding on a separate, prior community service sentence.

Mr Gearty said his client, a father of three, was being supported in court by his wife and he had asked her if he was a good husband and she replied that he was.

"You know the personality nearly as well as I do judge from the presentation in court.

"They are married just over 10 years and he is on jobseekers allowance at the moment.

"He did go through a phase where he was abusing drugs and that led to the criminality that caused problems for society."

Mr Gearty said Mr Dempsey has stated he is now off drugs and 'fortunately there was no accident' as a result of the incidents.

"The crux of what I'm asking is a plea to let him stay at home over Christmas and prove this was escapade of driving without insurance without ever having a license he got into these cars with a carefree, free spirit way, which should never have happened.

Judge Bernadette Owens remanded Mr Dempsey on bail with a condition that he is not to drive a motor vehicle and she requested a community service update on his 188 hours and adjourned the case until February 17, 2026 with 'liberty to reenter'.

READ NEXT: The hazard lights won't save you! Longford Gardaí catch another 'ditch-and-dash' motorist

READ NEXT: Bringing back Irish culture: Longford’s first Pop Up Gaeltacht