Epiphany about lover’s infidelity ends in court

A 21-year-old man who sped from his bed in the early hours of the Feast of the Epiphany, after it suddenly came to light his girlfriend might be with another young man, ended up in court on a charge of dangerous driving.

And the relationship with the girlfriend had no Mills and Boon storybook ending, Cahersiveen District Court was told.

Conor Daly, of Spunkane, Waterville, Co Kerry, was at home in bed in the early hours of January 6, 2013, when he was alerted to the fact his girlfriend was leaving a disco with another man.

At 3am and at high speed at Gurranebane Cahersiveen he overtook the car of the other young man, and slammed on the brakes, Insp John Brennan said.

Paul O’Donoghue, his solicitor, said there was no collision or accident.

“He decided needed to confront them. She was in the car with the other gentleman. He went ahead so he could stop the car and speak with the lady. He was quite upset,” he said.

At this point, Judge James O’Connor ruled the charge was “way out of proportion” and the charge was reduced to driving without reasonable consideration.

However before finalising the matter the judge asked the young man’s solicitor: “No one wants half a story! What happened with the girl?”

Judge O’Connor was told there was no fairytale ending. “It was not like a Mills and Boon novel. He got out of the car. There were words —robust and frank,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

The relationship ended there and then, he added.

His client was now working in the UK and hoping to go to New Zealand, the solicitor added.

The matter has been adjourned for mention to November 12 by which time Mr Daly is to make a €1,000 contribution to the court poor box, at which point he may avoid any conviction.

Clarification

Our edition of July 10 referred to a case at Cahersiveen Court involving a 21 year-old defendant named Conor Daly of Spunkane, Waterville, Co. Kerry.

We have been asked to clarify that the case had nothing to do with 25 year-old Conor Daly, son of Christy and Mary Daly, of the same address.

We are happy to clarify the matter.