A MOTORIST who drove down a one-way street in Skibbereen and refused to stop for gardaí was convicted and fined €500 for careless driving.

Brendan O’Donovan (30), of Kealties, Durrus, but now living in Australia, came to the attention of gardaí on patrol on September 15th 2024 when they heard loud motor noises coming from a Jeep parked outside JC’s takeaway in Skibbereen town centre.

Gardaí said they heard the accused revving the engine and shouting from inside of the car.

The car was then driven the wrong way down the one-way entrance to Field’s car park, continuing on to Main Street and North Street.

Gardaí lost chase of the vehicle as they were dealing with another incident outside the takeaway at the time, the court was told.

Skibbereen District Court heard that Mr O’Donovan, who currently works in mining in Perth, Australia, had seven previous convictions, four for road traffic offences, two for possession of drugs and one for a public order offence.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said his client had held  a full driving licence since 2016 and that the Jeep was taxed and insured.

‘He was outside the chipper in the car park, waiting for family and friends. He became impatient and wanted them to hurry up. He knows that he has done something wrong and he shouldn’t have. He apologises to the Garda for failing to stop,’ said Mr Murphy.

Judge Joanne Carroll convicted and fined him €500 for careless driving and gave him four months to pay the fine.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.