Judge tells Skibbereen chef to ‘cop himself on'

A CHEF has been told by Judge Sean Ó Donnabháin that if his attitude doesn’t improve, he will put him off the road for careless driving.

Adam Fahy, Flat 1, No 12, 98 Street, Skibbereen, appeared at a recent sitting of the Circuit Court in Bandon to appeal a conviction for careless driving where he was fined €500 in the District Court.

Garda Karen O’Flynn of Skibbereen Garda Station gave evidence that on June 27th 2015 she was driving from Skibbereen to Leap when she noticed a red BMW approach behind her at speed, and it began tailgating her. 

Gda O’Flynn, who was off duty at the time, said  that while approaching the junction for turning off to Union Hall, where there is a large ‘No Overtaking sign’ – the defendant overtook her at speed. 

Gda O’Flynn later spotted the defendant pulling in at the petrol station in Leap. State solicitor Malachy Boohig asked Gda O’Flynn if she tried to make contact with the defendant at a later stage and Gda O’Flynn said she met him on July 6th after several attempts and that he wouldn’t make a statement.

Barrister Sinead Behan asked Gda O’Flynn if she knew the car of her client and she said she did and that he changes his car regularly.

‘My client said he overtook your car beyond the junction where it was safe to do so,’ said Ms Behan. Giving evidence in court, Mr Fahy said he was on his way to work and came up behind Gda O’Flynn.

‘I know her car and she seized my car before. She kept slowing down so she was encouraging me to overtake her,’ said Mr Fahy.

‘I overtook after the junction as I was on my way to work in the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery and I then pulled in at the petrol station in Leap.’

State solicitor Malachy Boohig pointed out that the defendant said Gda O’Flynn was slowing down, but pointed out that in her evidence given in court Gda O’Flynn said she was travelling at 100 kph.

‘I’ve nothing to say and I’ve told the truth,’ replied the defendant.

She said you overtook her on the island at the Union Hall junction,’ said Mr Boohig, but the defendant said he didn’t overtake her on the island.

Judge Sean Ó Donnabháin reminded Mr Fahy that there was a distinct possibility that his attitude will lead him to be disqualified. ‘You have an attitude problem and do you realise how important a driving licence is? You seriously need to cop yourself on,’ said Judge Ó Donnabháin.

Judge Ó Donnabháin adjourned the case to the next sitting of the Circuit Court in Skibbereen on April 6th and reminded the defendant that he will be off the road unless his attitude changes.