Limerick criminal jailed over driving offences

A LIMERICK criminal with 84 previous convictions, who used to drive around the city in a powerful, bullet-proof BMW, was jailed yesterday after a woman who offered to pay bail for him was not accepted by Limerick District Court.

Gerard Dundon was jailed for six months for driving while disqualified.

Dundon, 22, of Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, was banned from driving at the same court last year for 15 years when he was found driving a bullet-proof BMW while disqualified.

Three years previously he was banned from driving for eight years after he was found driving another bullet-proof BMW. At the time he told the court he needed the car because there was a €1m contract out on him.

Both bullet-proof cars were subsequently seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau.

After yesterday’s jail term was imposed, Lorraine Bridgeman, of O’Malley Park, offered to pay bail pending an appeal after Judge Tom O’Donnell fixed recognisances with an independent sum of €2,500.

Ms Bridgeman, who is 18, said she was a friend of Dundon’s girlfriend.

In reply to Insp Tom O’Connor, who opposed her offer to pay bail due to her age and background, she said she was voluntarily offering to pay Dundon’s bail.

Judge O’Donnell, refusing to accept her offer, said while she had certain money in an account, if the person granted bail absconded, it would leave her penniless.

Outlining yesterday’s cases against Dundon, Insp Luke Comber said on June 18 gardaí saw him driving at speed through Rosbrien, going through a roundabout without signalling.

On August 18, he was seen driving a Mercedez Benz along Hyde Avenue before travelling into Lenihan Avenue, Byrne Avenue and Rosbrien.

Dundon was banned from driving for 15 years in June 2008.

On September 11, he was involved in an incident in which he used threatening and abusive language to a garda.

Shane O’Donoghue, BL, said Dundon thought he was being followed when he was seen speeding at Rosbrien on June 18.

His 84 previous convictions, he said, were for summary offences apart from one drugs offence.

Dundon had two young children, one of whom suffered from a serious condition. His mother was also very ill. Mr O’Donoghue said he had expressed adetermination to stay out of trouble and to be there for his family.

Judge O’Donnell said it was manifestly clear Dundon had no regard for the road traffic laws. Six-month sentences were imposed for the motoring offences and a three-month concurrent sentence was imposed for the public order offence. He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.