COURTS: A judge has blasted the irresponsible and dangerous driving of a man who failed to stop for Gardaí, after he sped through a built up housing estate where children were playing to get away from them.
Haroon Mirza, 35, with an address of 21 Ashfield, Letterkenny appeared at Letterkenny District Court in relation to the incident which occurred on the 6th, January, 2016.
The court heard how Mr Mirza failed to stop for Gardaí when signalled to do so – and attempted to speed away from them which could’ve caused a fatal accident.
Inspector Goretti Sheridan told the court, “On the 6th, January of this year, Garda Elaine Gordon signalled for the driver of a maroon Honda Civic vehicle to pull over.
“However, he failed to do and gained speed in an effort to get away from the Gardaí, at one point he dangerously drove right across the road which forced a vehicle to brake to a halt.
“He continued his attempts to speed away from Gardaí and drove into a housing estate at high speeds.
“He sped around a corner where a mother and her small child were walking, and at no point attempted to slow down.
“He flew around another corner and narrowly avoided a man who was out walking his dog.
“He then exited the vehicle and attempted to get into his home, but he was apprehended by Gardaí.
“The car had no tax, or NCT, and Mr Mirza was already disqualified from driving and had no license or insurance.
Solicitor for the defendant Patsy Gallagher said his client apologies profusely for his actions – but added that a family emergency had forced Mr Mirza to occupy the vehicle on the day in question.
Mr Gallagher said, “My client deeply regrets his actions and apologies to the court profusely for his irresponsible actions.
“It’s remarkable given his previous convictions that he finds himself in this position, but as I’ve said he is very, very apologetic for his actions, and accepts he was totally wrong.
“He’s a married man with one child, and he works as a Computer Analyst for a International company based here locally.
“He’s actually going to the USA, for a refresher course for his new company in the next few weeks.
“The reason he got behind the wheel was because his child was ill, and went to the chemist to get medicine.
“His wife who owns the vehicle didn’t want to leave the child, but they now accept what happened was wrong, but that’s why he drove the vehicle.
“My client fully accepts that his license is gone, and as I’ve told him he shouldn’t be allowed to drive a lawnmower, never mind a car.
“I’m in the hands of the court, but I’d like to stress to the court that he’s the sole breadwinner for his family.
“I would hope the courts could fashion a sentence that punishes him appropriately, but still gives him leeway with his life going forward, and gives him a chance to continue to provide for his family.
Judge Paul Kelly said, “I’m not accepting that for one second, that’s utter nonsense, if he needed to go to the chemist for his child, he could’ve got a taxi.
“He knew he should never have drove that vehicle, and then when he did his driving could’ve caused a fatal accident.
“He was fully aware he was being pursued by Gardaí and he didn’t stop, instead he endangered lives of pedestrians and children in a housing estate.
“It could’ve been fatal, an he’s lucky to be even allowed to go to the USA – considering his previous convictions.
“I’ll adjourn the matter to June 13th, and I request a probation report to be prepared on the defendant.
“However, I’m not excluding the prospect of a custodial sentence in this matter, your client is very much in peril here Mr Gallagher.