This article is from page 12 of the 2012-03-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A CAR enthusiast who attempted to “drift” around a roundabout on the outskirts of Ennis last year has been described as being “all gearbox and no brain box”.
Judge Patrick Durcan was speaking as he ordered Ennis man Shane O’Sullivan (20) to pay € 350 to the disabled driver’s association.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, O’Sullivan, with an address at Rockmount Cross, Kilrush Road, Ennis, pleaded to a charge of driving without due care and attention.
Garda William Delaney of Ennis Garda Station told the court that on August 13, 2011, he observed the accused drive a car in an attempt to drift around a roundabout at Killoo West, Ennis.
Garda Delaney explained that drifting involved driving at speed and pulling the handbrake in order to manoeuvre the car in a 180-degree angle.
Garda Delaney said the road was quiet at the time. He told the court a “convoy” of around seven cars were present at the time.
The court heard that O’Sullivan has no previous convictions.
Solicitor Stephen Nicholas told the court that the incident occurred on a ring road on the outskirts of Ennis between 1am and 2am. He said there was no traffic on the road, which was lit. Mr Nicholas said there were no houses on or off the road.
Requesting that the court deal leniently with the matter, Mr Nicholas said his client was in the process of carrying out an interview that could set him on a career path.
Judge Durcan said, “It’s a good example of all gear box and no brain box, that’s how I would sum up this man.”
Noting O’Sullivan’s guilty plea, good record and age, Judge Durcan ordered that he pay € 350 to the disabled driver’s association on or before April 31.
He adjourned the matter until May 1. Judge Durcan said young people must understand that when they get behind the wheel of a car, “they take possession of the most dangerous weapon they will ever have”.