Motorist jailed for ‘chaotic’ high-speed escapade

A high-speed escapade of dangerous driving at the height of ‘school-run’ time on a Friday afternoon could have resulted in far more serious consequences, a judge said as he banned a motorist for 10 years and jailed him for two years.

Fri, 01 May, 2015 - 01:00

Liam Heylin

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin imposed that sentence on 25-year-old Aaron O’Halloran, of Gould Street, Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

“The driving in this case in the suburbs of Cork on a Friday afternoon was absolutely chaotic and it is only fortunate he is not appearing on even more serious charges,” the judge said.

O’Halloran pleaded guilty to stealing a box of tools from a van at Muskerry Estate in Ballincolling on Friday, February 27, and three counts of dangerous driving between Ballincollig and Kinsale Road Roundabout.

Detective Garda Donal O’Connell said Garda Dave Barry and Garda Michael Ring who observed the driving at different stages saw the accused hit a speed of more than 120km/h in a 50km/h zone; force other cars to take evasive action; drive on the incorrect side of the road; and in the end swerve at speed across four lanes of traffic close to the Kinsale Road.

His barrister, Brendan Kelly, said he suffered from depression and anxiety. He said that O’Halloran remained in the car when it crashed at the end of the escapade while passengers in the car had all fled. He also paid €2,000 to compensate the owners of a car and a lorry damaged during the incident.