Disqualified Longford driver covered face as he tried to evade gardaí

A judge has directed a probation report is compiled on a disqualified driver who was caught by gardaí behind the wheel once again.

Nigel Curran (36) of 20 An Rath Beag, Abbeylara pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to two counts of dangerous driving at Clonaghmore, Abbeylara on July 19, 2024.

Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the State said gardaí observed a driver pass by and cover his face.

They followed the vehicle, which took off at speed and Mr Curran was summonsed as a result of the incident.

Also read: Longford man pleads guilty to dangerous driving and to slashing tyres of Garda vehicle

Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client, a father of three, was being supported by his partner and he regretted the terrible decision he made. "It wouldn't have been easy for him as a child and he did have a very bad record.”

Mr Gearty said Mr Curran is completing a CSE (Computer Science and Engineering) course in Mullingar and he referred to his 10-year road ban. "It was a very long disqualification and unfortunately it appears that the bad habit broke out."

Mr Gearty described the road Mr Curran was detected on as a bumpy, boggy kind of road that continues on to a tight bend and then off on to Coole. "He shouldn't have been driving quickly on that road."

Judge Owens interjected and replied, "He shouldn't have been driving at all.”

Also read: HSE 'profoundly sorry for devastation and deep grief' Longford family endured

Mr Gearty accepted this was the case and he said both Mr Curran and his partner are productive and 'relevant people' in their community. 

He acknowledged his client was facing the possibility of a long disqualification and a prison sentence. "I'm going to implore you judge to take a signal from the prosecution as it appears that the only prosecution being brought are the prosecutions of dangerous driving. You have not been asked to address the egregious feature of driving without a driving licence."

Mr Gearty said there had been an early guilty plea which 'spared a whole thing about identification'.

Mr Gearty then attempted to explain the mindset. "The problem with these fellows who live in a country area, Abbeylara, where I was brought up, it's a lovely area but a very rural area and these fellows, when they can't drive they sometimes get into a state of hopelessness and he should never have driven."

Also read: Longford man ‘unhappy’ with story ‘saw red’ and assaulted court reporter on street

Judge Bernadette Owens said given Mr Curran's previous convictions serious consideration had to be given to jailing him.

She directed a probation report and a community service suitability assessment be completed and a pro social driving course and she adjourned the case until March 24 next with 'liberty to re-enter'.