'Careless' Longford motorist drove on wrong side of road towards oncoming traffic

A diabetic sufferer, whose blood sugar levels were ‘dangerously low’ and who drove in a careless manner on the wrong side of the road narrowly missing an oncoming vehicle, has been convicted and fined.

Joseph Connolly (39) of Rathcronan, Granard appeared in Longford District Court in relation to a charge of dangerous driving at Aughafin, Edgeworthstown on February 10, 2025.

The defendant pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving after Judge Bernadette Owens considered the circumstances.

Mr Connolly also pleaded guilty to a Section 48 charge of driving while unfit to do so due to a known medical condition or disability under the Irish Road Traffic Act, 1961.

Sergeant Enda Daly, for the State, said gardaí were on patrol on the N55 between Granard and Edgeworthstown at 11.10am when they observed a vehicle driving in a dangerous manner.

"Gardaí observed the vehicle driving across the white line of the road completely on to the wrong side of the road at Aughafin, Edgeworthstown, county Longford, which caused an oncoming vehicle to take evasive action and flash their lights aggressively at the vehicle.

"The driver then returned to the correct side of the road and drove alongside the hedge on the left-hand side of the road before returning to the lane.

"Gardai immediately activated the blue lights and sirens in an attempt to alert the driver to pull over, but the driver failed to stop the vehicle, and he continued to drive in a dangerous manner in the direction of Edgeworthstown."

Sgt Daly outlined the defendant continued to drive on the wrong side of the road at Aghadonagh and Aughafin, Edgeworthstown in the path of oncoming traffic.

"The driver crossed over and back the white line and on numerous occasions he appeared to be oblivious that gardai were behind him with the lights and sirens activated.

"The driver only stopped the vehicle when he reached a red traffic light in Main Street, Edgeworthstown.

“Gardai approached the driver and asked him to step out of the car and he appeared to be disorientated and he was clammy and sweating."

Sgt Daly stated the driver provided his name as the defendant and officers did not detect or observe any evidence that he had consumed alcohol, however, he was subsequently arrested contrary to Section 53 (Dangerous Driving) of the Road Traffic Act.

The prosecuting sergeant said the defendant was brought to Longford Garda Station and while in Garda custody he appeared to be disorientated and confused.

“He was asked if he suffered from any health issues and he said he was a Type 1 diabetic since he was 13 years of age and insulin dependent.

“An ambulance was called to attend the station and paramedics arrived and examined Mr Connolly and they found his blood sugar levels were tested and at 1.6 (mmol/L or millimoles per litre) when the normal level is above 4.

“He was given a glucose gel and sugary cups of tea to raise his blood sugar levels. Mr Connolly stated that he had a hypo the previous night while watching the Superbowl.

Sgt Daly said Mr Connolly told Gardaí he did not take any food or sugar to correct his levels, but he took his insulin that morning and he had cornflakes for breakfast.

Sgt Daly said Mr Connolly’s blood sugar levels were ‘dangerously low’ when he got behind the wheel.

“Mr Connolly is experienced when dealing with disability and on this occasion this episode severely impaired his ability to drive safely."

After hearing the circumstances and details Judge Bernadette Owens decided to reduce the dangerous driving charges down to careless driving.

The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn, defending, asked Judge Owens to use her discretion and not to impose a disqualification.

He said his client, a qualified civil engineer, had a positive work history, despite being unemployed for the past six months.

Judge Owens, who stressed it was a serious' incident, decided to impose a €600 fine with seven months to pay for the careless driving and a €250 fine with 11 months to pay for the Section 48 offence.

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