A Convoy man, Andrew Foley of 6, The Meadows, who narrowly missed hitting a garda patrol car as he sped into a housing estate has pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving at a recent sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

The Court heard from Garda Geraghty that on February 2 he was on patrol at 12.15 at Townparks, Convoy. As he was leaving the estate in the patrol car he saw the defendant drive at speed into the estate cutting the patrol car off. Garda Geraghty added that the car "narrowly missed us". The car continued into the estate and as it sped over speed ramps sparks flew from the car. He then hit the brakes and skidded into a driveway at the top of the estate where he was subsequently arrested.

Garda Geraghty told Judge Zaidan that given the time of this incident there was "little or no traffic or pedestrians on the roads".

When asked by Judge Zaidan why the defendant was driving in this manner, Garda Geraghty replied that Foley had admitted to "having a few drinks" earlier on in the night, although this was not an issue at the time of arrest, he may still have been affected by the alcohol.

Judge Zaidan asked Garda Geraghty if he would be likely to see Foley's face before the courts again to which Garda Geraghty replied that he did not think he would re-offend.

Foley chose to represent himself in court and under questioning from Judge Zaidan replied that he had not been working for the past ten months and had no skills at all.

Judge Zaidan asked Foley if he had ever worked, to which he replied that he had worked on-and-off as a labourer but stated that for the past year-and-a-half he had suffered from depression.

SHOULD BE WORKING

The Judge commented: "In this day and age there is no excuse for unemployment. There are thousands of people coming to this country from abroad and they are all able to get jobs. You are a young man, there is no reason why you should not be working."

Addressing Foley directly Judge Zaidan added: "You should try and get yourself a job it might help you snap out of your depression."

He asked Foley is there was a reason for which he should not impose a disqualification to which the defendant replied: "I'll leave it at your discretion. It's up to yourself."

Judge Zaidan concluded that he could impose a fine of ¤2500 and six months imprisonment but given the way Foley had met the case he imposed a fine of ¤200 and took into account the fact that he had no driving licence.