Longford man receives suspended sentence for car ramming incident

A Longford man received a five month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, arising from a dangerous driving incident where he drove at a vehicle and caused injury to a man.

Tommy McGinley, with an address at 10 Palace Drive, Ardnacassa, was also disqualified from driving for five years and fined €500 at last week’s sitting of Longford District Court arising from the incident which took place at Legion Terrace, Longford on September 16, 2023.

He was convicted of driving a vehicle, which was involved in causing injury to Johnny Nevin and failing to stop. Mr Nevin sustained a dislocated ankle.

Sergeant Enda Daly told the court that the incident was captured on CCTV.

The footage showed a large white van being driven at speed. Sgt Daly said that Mr McGinley admitted it was him driving the van.

Solicitor Fiona Baxter, representing Mr McGinley, stated that some of the occupants of the vehicle that was driven at are pursuing claims for personal injuries.

The court was told that Mr McGinley had 20 previous convictions.

Ms Baxter told the court that Mr McGinley was not “shying away” in relation to the incident.

She then went on to read to the court some extracts from the Garda interview conducted with her client.

“I went to my father-in-law’s. A white car drove in. The occupants had implements. I took off,” Mr McGinley told Gardai.
“A second man, Martin ‘roadrunner’ Nevin got out of the car,” he added.

He added that the incident was videoed by Michelle Nevin.

Mr McGinley also stated that he had gone to the house in question, “because I wanted to get an argument quashed.”

“I was in fear. Martin Nevin took a stick and was coming at me. It would not be nice to get your head smashed in by a guy who does heavyweight boxing,” he added, in his interview with Garda.

Ms Baxter told the court that her client had “readily agreed to strict bail conditions. These included him moving to live in Roscrea. This move caused significant hardship to Mr McGinley’s wife.”

“My client is a full-time carer for his parents. My client agreed not to drive his vehicle. He has fully complied with the bail conditions,” Ms Baxter added.

She added that her client has been engaging with Dr Enda Hayden.

“There is a report by Dr Hayden which provides a very detailed history of personal tragedy that my client has endured. Since my client returned to Longford, he has been going about his business. He is supported by his wife and parents. He is remorseful and he entered a plea at the first opportunity,” she continued.

Following Ms Baxter’s statement on behalf of her client, Sgt Daly interjected, “I am not sure who the victim is. Speculation has been brought into it.”

Ms Baxter retorted, “there is no speculation, the matter is recorded on CCTV.”

Judge Bernadette Owens addressed the matter. “The facts of this case indicate a very serious incident. Mr McGinley has a relevant previous driving conviction, dating back to 2014. There is a backstory to this incident,” she stated.

She went on to warn all parties involved that there should not be repercussions to the outcome.

“Mr McGinley has to get credit for pleading to the charges. He has complied with bail conditions. The court has to take into consideration his family commitments,” the judge stated.

When Judge Owens announced her verdict, Ms Baxter asked if the disqualification could be put back until November 1.

The judge declined this. “Your client knew that, by pleading guilty to a section 53 charge, that he was facing disqualification. However, I will instead postpone the disqualification to August 1,” she stated.