Flu stalls Conor McGregor's dangerous driving case

Judge David McHugh adjourned the case, meaning McGregor will fully contest the prosecution at a hearing in December

Conor McGregor (picture) had gone to a GP this morning where he was diagnosed with influenza. File picture

UFC star Conor McGregor was too sick with the flu to face court on Wednesday for his unresolved dangerous driving prosecution in Dublin.

Judge David McHugh adjourned the case in his absence, meaning McGregor will fully contest the prosecution at a hearing in December. Gardaí stopped the mixed martial artist (MMA) driving a high-performance Bentley Continental GT on March 22 last year in west Dublin.

He was arrested and initially charged with two counts of dangerous driving in the 2019-reg car at the N4/M50 interchange in Palmerstown and Lucan Road, being uninsured, having no licence, and failing to produce his documents within 10 days.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed summary disposal of the case at district court level. There had been brief hearings in April, June and September when gardaí further charged him with careless driving, a lesser offence, in connection with the incident.

In November, the defence offered a proposal to be considered by the prosecution, and the case was adjourned until today for progress. The MMA star was due to return to Blanchardstown District Court. 

Garda witnesses were in court, but defence barrister David Staunton, instructed by solicitor Aoife Corridon, explained that the fighter could not attend.

“Unfortunately, the defendant is indisposed today, and we have a letter from his general practitioner, which he attended this morning. He has a likely diagnosis of influenza and is unable to attend court,” counsel said.

State solicitor Siobhan Matthews said that the prosecuting officer, Garda Denis Lordon, had been informed of that, and there was no difficulty. Mr Staunton also reminded the judge that he had kindly adjourned the case in November after the defence made its proposal to the prosecution.

Counsel added: “Unfortunately, we have been unable to resolve matters and will have to ask for a hearing date.” Judge McHugh ordered that the district court trial would take place on December 6 at noon.

Dubliner McGregor, who now lives in Staffan, Co. Kildare, appeared in court for four previous hearings in the proceedings and will be expected to attend on the hearing date.

On conviction, dangerous driving carries a maximum fine of up to €5,000 and six months imprisonment. Careless driving carries a maximum €5,000 penalty but no risk of a prison sentence.