A judge has stated that a teenage driver was doing the same speed as a Boeing 777 on take off from Shannon Airport when detected by Gardai speeding at 160kmph on the outskirts of Ennis.
At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett imposed a two-month suspended prison sentence on Michael Burke (18) of Croi na Baile, Kilmihil in west Clare and said that he “is a lucky man” that he was not facing a driving ban.
He commented that Mr Burke was also “very, very lucky” that his driving was not the subject of an inquest at the Clare’s Coroner’s Court in Kilrush.
Judge Gabbett warned Mr Burke: “If you come before me again on a road traffic offence or anything, I am going to impose the two months and that is because of the 160km per hour.”
He said: “160km per hour is the issue – it is the speed a Boeing777 takes off on the runway at Shannon airport.”
Mr Burke was charged with dangerous driving on January 26th this year at Daragh, Ennis and on conviction dangerous driving carries an automatic two year driving ban.
However, after hearing the State evidence against Mr Burke and an application from Mr Burke’s solicitor, Colum Doherty to reduce the charge to one of careless driving, Judge Gabbett reduced the charge to careless driving and Mr Burke pleaded guilty to that offence.
Mr Doherty stated that Mr Burke’s driving on the night involved “a moment of madness” where he panicked and any driving ban would result in his client losing his job in the construction industry.
Mr Doherty also asked Judge Gabbett to reduce the charge from dangerous driving to careless driving in light of his client’s young age, is starting off and has no previous convictions.
Mr Doherty said that his client has also completed a Garda ‘Lifesaver’ course designed to educate drivers who have been before the courts on road safety.
In evidence, Sgt Mark Murphy said that Mr Burke was detected going at a speed of 160kmph on the main Kilrush Road, leading out of Ennis at Daragh.
Sgt Murphy said that a car ahead of Mr Burke’s car was indicating right and was in the middle of the manoeuvre to head on the minor road when Mr Burke overtook him and ended up on the complete opposite side of the road with speed.
Sgt Murphy said it was dark around 10pm and said that his driving inexperience and speed were the aggravating factors in the case.
Sgt Murphy said that a Garda pursuit of Mr Burke’s car “lasted a few kilometres where at Bansha he did pull in”.
Sgt Murphy said that after he was stopped Mr Burke “was co-operative and of good behaviour”.
There was another male in the car and the two were returning from a day’s work.
Mr Doherty said that Mr Burke is an 18 year old and lives in Kilmhil with his family.
He said: “He has learned from this. It is his first offence. He panicked on the night but when he realised his mistake he pulled in. It was sheer panic that led him to this situation.”
Judge Gabbett also imposed a fine of €300 on the speeding driver.
