This article is from page 6 of the 2014-10-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A FARM labourer who left the scene of a ‘hit and run’ accident in west Clare earlier this year has been told he may lose his driver’s license.
Drew Clancy (19) crashed his car into the side of a van as Mr Clancy exited a car park and drove onto the main road at Dough, Spanish Point on February 13.
Mr Clancy was driving without insurance and left the scene, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday.
Mr Clancy, with an address at Fintra More, Miltown Malbay, pleaded guilty to driving without due care or attention.
He also admitted charges of driving without insurance and failing to report the occurrence.
Garda Margaret Leahy of Ennistymon Garda Station told the court she responded to a report of a hit and run accident at Spanish Point on the date in question. Garda Leahy said a van driver told her the car that struck his vehicle drove away from the scene.
Garda Leahy said she determined the identity of the driver after the van driver gave her partial details of the car’s registration number.
No injuries were suffered as a result of the accident, the court heard.
Garda Leahy said Mr Clancy later made a cautioned statement to gardaí in which he admitted hitting the car.
The court € 1500 worth of damage was caused to the van.
Judge Patrick Durcan asked Garda Leahy why the accused left the scene. “He panicked. He had no insurance and he was aware he had no insurance”, Garda Leahy said.
Mr Clancy has no previous convictions. The case was previously adjourned after Judge Durcan ordered a probation report. Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client is going to agricultural college and is saving to pay compensation to the injured party.
“He’s a young man with a promising future who made a dreadful mistake”, Ms Godfrey said.
Judge Durcan said, “I won’t deal with this until compensation is paid”.
Judge Durcan said there is a possibility of a disqualif cation and deten tion in the case unless compensation is paid.
He remanded Mr Clancy on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 26.