Dash cam footage helps convict professional driver in Cobh of dangerous driving

The man was disqualified from driving for two years and fined €350 and given three months to pay

The witness had front and rear dash cam footage of the incident and subsequently made a complaint to gardaí.  File picture

A man who was charged with dangerous driving has been convicted in the district court thanks to the dash cam evidence of a concerned citizen who witnessed the bad driving.

Sergeant Majella O’Sullivan told Midleton District Court that on November 11, 2023, the witness was driving along the Fota Road, Fota Island, Cork at 4.25pm when they were aggressively tailgated by another driver. 

The witness said that the driver, later identified as Tihamir Buinjac, 50, of West Beach, Cobh, Co. Cork, then overtook them across a solid white line and almost collided with an oncoming vehicle.

The witness had front and rear dash cam footage of the incident and subsequently made a complaint to gardaí. 

Buinjac was identified from the footage and pleaded guilty when he was charged with dangerous driving.

Defence solicitor Aiden Desmond said that Buinjac was a former professional driver who was originally from Croatia. He said his client was fully co-operative with gardaí, had admitted the offence at the first opportunity and was very apologetic. 

He said that Buinjac made a poor decision on the day and did not realise he had crossed a solid white line.

Judge Colm Roberts said: “This is clearly a case of dangerous driving. 

The fact that he was a professional driver makes it even worse. He is 50-years-old, he has plenty of experience, he is not some young fella. 

"He knows the rules and he knows crossing a solid line is not allowed. The lack of a proper explanation for his behaviour does cause me some concern.” 

Buinjac was disqualified from driving for two years and fined €350 and given three months to pay. Recognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed in in own bond of €500 with €250 required in cash.