Driver followed woman for 16km

A judge said yesterday that the behaviour of a 50-year-old man who followed a frightened teacher for 16km to her home at night in a “road rage” incident was “absolutely and utterly outrageous”.

Judge Tom O’Donnell was speaking at Ennis Circuit Court after hearing of the circumstances surrounding the “hermit-like” Paul Carton, of Tullyvarraga Crescent, Shannon, Co Clare, following Aisling Frawley to her home at Clarecastle on November 12 last year.

Judge O’Donnell said Mr Carton abused Ms Frawley “in an appalling fashion” while pursuing her.

Mr Carton pleaded guilty to careless driving and threatening and abusive behaviour; at the district court in June, Judge Patrick Durcan banned him from driving for 12 months and fined him €1,500.

He was yesterday appealing the severity of the sentence. Daragh Hassett, his solicitor, said if the driving ban and conviction stands, Mr Carton will be effectively made redundant from his post in Shannon as he would not pass security clearance there with the conviction.

In the incident, Mr Carton first drove near Ms Frawley near Bunratty on the M18 Ennis to Limerick motorway, gesticulating at her and following her closely behind with his full lights on to her home 16km away.

Mr Hassett told the court yesterday that the 25-year-old teacher was subjected to a “horrific experience” and that Mr Carton’s actions were “despicable”.

He said: “It is as bad a case of road rage that I have ever come across.”

Mr Hassett said that when entering the motorway, there was nearly a coming together of their cars, causing Mr Carton to jolt quite severely, leaving him in searing pain as a result.

Mr Hassett said his client has no previous convictions.

Judge O’Donnell said it was an unusual case, adjourning it to December 5 to allow gardaí make contact with Ms Frawley to see what charity she would like to nominate for the €1,500 to be paid out by Mr Carton.