Motorcyclist hit car, house and broke window

A  23-YEAR-old motorcyclist hit a car, crashed into a house, and was then thrown from his motorbike in Dunmanway last year, a court has heard.

Liam Knowles of Reenacaheragh, Tarelton pleaded guilty to numerous traffic offences at Clonakilty District Court, arising from the incident on September 29th last.

Sgt Paul Kelly said a female motorist was driving in Dunmanway and was indicating to turn right when the defendant came up behind her on his motorbike and collided with the right side of her car.

‘He continued on and then collided with a house and broke a window and he carried on and was thrown from the bike. He then left the scene after the motorist told him she was calling the gardaí,’ said Sgt Kelly.

Mr Knowles called to Dunmanway Garda Station on October 31st and made full admissions and undertook to produce compensation of €80 to the owner of the house. Sgt Kelly said the defendant has 17 previous convictions.

Solicitor Eamonn Fleming said Mr Knowles lives in a remote area and needs to get a job and has an interest in engineering and metalwork. 

Judge James McNulty remarked that the economy is in ‘full throttle and close to full employment’ and that the defendant should be working.

At a later court sitting, Judge McNulty was told the defendant has signed up for a welding course but he suggested that if Mr Knowles wanted to find employment he would need to move from ‘the back of beyond’ due to the impending driving ban.

He sentenced the defendant to 60 days’ jail for having no insurance but suspended the sentence for two years and disqualified him from driving for four years. He also imposed a total of 220 hours of community service in lieu of prison, for both failing to remain at the scene and dangerous driving. He was also convicted and fined €300 for driving with no tax and he took into consideration other charges that included driving a defective vehicle and hit and run.

‘The suspended sentence is linked to the disqualification order and if he is caught driving again it will trigger the suspended sentence,’ warned Judge McNulty.

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