A 21-year-old Beara man was given a ‘very big break’ by a district court judge when three charges of dangerous driving against him were reduced and rolled into a single conviction for careless driving.

David Prizgintas of Forge House, West End, Castletownbere pleaded guilty at Bantry District Court to a number of charges including careless driving, driving without insurance and driving without a valid driving licence.

Solicitor Flor Murphy said his client – who was born in Ireland and has no previous convictions – was pleading guilty to a charge of careless driving at Gortagarry in Bantry on December 23rd last, and to a charge of driving without insurance, or a driver's licence, at Ballylickey on the same date.

Court presenter, Sgt Tom Mulcahy said the accused turned back from a checkpoint which was being operated that afternoon by Gda David Harmon, so the gardaí followed the white BMW.

During a 10 minute​ chase, gardaí saw him overtake two vehicles on a continuous white line at Lisheens in Kealkil while a vehicle was coming toward him.

They then observed him at Pearson’s Bridge speeding on a narrow road and activated the blue light​, but he failed to stop.

Sgt Mulcahy said the accused drove past several pedestrians at speed and indicated to turn left but instead went straight through a junction, moving from a minor road onto the main road. 

'He went straight through without stopping,' said Sgt Mulcahy.

However, a short time later, the accused stopped and spoke to gardaí, giving them his name and address.

In mitigation, Mr Murphy said his client is an apprentice mechanic who is doing the sixth, and final phase, of his training.

On this occasion, he said his client borrowed the vehicle to go to Clonakilty with friends.

'He knew he didn't have insurance and when he saw the garda checkpoint he panicked and turned around.

But it was only after he came out onto the N71 that he stopped and made full admissions,' added Mr Murphy.

'He accepts that his driving was appalling and that he is in difficulty before the court.'

The accused admitted to Judge Joanne Carroll that his provisional licence had expired and that he needs to renew his licence. 

He also told her that he was sorry for the offences he had committed and that being a mechanic was 'a great job to have.'

Given his age, his occupation, his previous good character, and his admission of guilt, Judge Carroll said she would give the accused 'a very big break.'

She described the accused's actions that afternoon as 'a massive error of judgement, a moment of madness' and reminded the accused that his licence is essential for his career.

The judge said: 'I don't think the community would be well served by convicting him of dangerous driving and disqualifying him for a period of two years, so I will give him a chance today and reduce it to careless driving.'

Judge Carroll fined the accused €150 for not having a driver's licence; €300 for driving without insurance at Ballylickey on December 23rd; and €400 for careless driving at Gortagarry in Bantry.

'You are getting a chance today,' she said, 'make sure you take it.'

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.