Kiltimagh man jailed for nine months for ‘appalling’ driving

Kiltimagh man jailed for nine months for ‘appalling’ driving


AN uninsured 22-year-old Kiltimagh man who drove through a Garda checkpoint and was observed by Gardai overtaking cars on continuous white lines and on a bend at speeds of up to 180 kilometres per hour was jailed for nine months at Castlebar District Court on Friday.
Gardaí were conducting a checkpoint shortly after 8am in Balla on September 22 last when a car, which was being driven by Mark Walsh of Treenlaur, Kiltimagh failed to stop as directed. The vehicle passed through the checkpoint at 120 kilometres an hour and Gardaí subsequently followed the offending vehicle.
Gardaí observed Walsh driving in a dangerous manner overtaking vehicles on continuous white lines and sharp bends at speeds of between 160 and 180 kilometres per hour. The defendant subsequently crashed the vehicle moments later and he mis-identified himself as Michael Waldron before being taken to Castlebar hospital for treatment.
Solicitor for the defence Tom Walsh accepted that it was very fortunate that no innocent road users were affected by Mr Walsh’s outrageous actions but he said Mr Walsh was receiving life counselling and was benefiting greatly from the sessions. He had previously worked as a chef in the UK, and he now had a job offer to return to work there.
Mr Walsh asked Judge Devins if his client could be dealt with in a way that he was still in a position to take up this employment offer.  He also stipulated that his client had reacted adversely to a mix of prescription medication and alcohol in the hours leading up to the incident and that this behaviour was completely out of character.
Mark Walsh had previously been insured under his father’s policy prior to returning from the UK, and he mistakenly believed that this was still the case in the morning in question.
The court was told that Mr Walsh deeply regretted his actions and he promised that he would never be back before the court.
Judge Mary Devins said that Walsh could have killed many people going to work or bringing children to school and that this young man was completely reckless. She said that her immediate recommendation was to imprison Walsh for a two-year period and that his actions were ‘too serious’ and that this ‘appalling’ behaviour would have to be reflected.
Judge Devins subsequently sentenced Walsh to nine months imprisonment and fined him €1,500.