High-speed driver yelled to pursuing gardaí ‘I’m not stopping for ye’
Bryan Edwards, aged 28, of Abbeyale, Corbally, was dis-qualified from driving for 12 months when he admitted a charge of dangerous driving at Limerick District Court.
He was fined a total of €300 for failing to stop for gardaí and for obstructing a garda.
Garda Enda Clifford said he was in a marked patrol car in a line of traffic at Athlunkard St at 11.30am on Dec 12, 2012. The screeching of brakes as the car nearest the traffic lights took off at speed grabbed his attention.
There was smoke coming from the tyres as he pursued it towards Corbally. The blue flashing light was on and the driver knew the gardaí were trying to get him to pull in. The area was busy with people shopping. The pursuit continued into the Abbeyvale estate and at one point, when the gardaí were upside the car at a roundabout, the driver rolled down his window and shouted: “I’m not stopping for ye.”
As they continued to give chase, the car pulled into the driveway of a house at 79 Abbeyvale. Edwards got out of the car and was very agitated.
His mother was standing at the door of the house and defused the situation, allowing gardaí to arrest Edwards. After being brought to Henry Street Garda Station, Edwards’ demeanour changed and he was cooperative after his solicitor, Ted McCarthy was called.
Mr McCarthy told the court that Edwards took off at speed because somebody made a threat to him as he was driving past the courthouse near Athlunkard St.
Another court heard earlier this year that a brother of the accused died violently and he now felt he could not move freely.
Mr McCarthy said the accused was on medication which he had not taken that morning.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly said an aggravating factor was Edwards had the cheek to roll down his car window and shout to the gardaí, at a roundabout.
