A young Castlebar man who was spotted pulling handbrake turns in the town was lucky not to be put off the road, a district court judge told him.
Richard McGreal (19) of Thornbrook, Pontoon Road, Castlebar appeared before Castlebar District Court last week charged with careless driving.
Inspector Fran Nicholson told the court that Gardaí at Castlebar Garda Station spotted on the CCTV cameras at the station a man performing handbrake turns in the Castle St Car Park in the town on December 18 last,
He added that when a Garda went down and spoke to McGreal, he was ‘very apologetic’ and said he didn’t realise the error of his ways.
Defending solicitor Tom Walsh said McGreal was being ‘egged on’ by his colleagues but that he has ‘learned a lesson’ and won’t be before the court again.
Judge Denis McLoughlin said McGreal should consider himself lucky not to be charged with dangerous driving because he would have disqualified him in that event. He convicted McGreal and fined him €100.
