Man dropped trousers and slapped bare backside at Gardai

April 12, 2021

A young man dropped his trousers, slapped his backside and gave Gardai the finger before speeding off.

Patrick Lynch appeared at Buncrana District Court after Gardai finally put an end to his exploits.

The 18-year-old car fanatic faced a series of charges after a number of pursuits with Gardai along the border between Donegal and Derry over the course of just a few days.

He pleaded guilty to a number of charges of dangerous driving.

Lynch, of Inch Road, Burnfoot, first caught Gardai’s attention at 1.20am on New Year’s Day last when himself and another man, made “hand gestures” at officers at Bonemaine, Bridgend.

When Gardai stopped, Lynch dropped his trousers, slapped his bare behind and then jumped into a Ford Focus car and speeding off.

Gardai pursued him with three Garda cars joining the chase before Lynch managed to make it to the border, narrowly avoiding one patrol car.

However, just eight days later, Lynch came across the radar of Gardai again when they noticed Lynch driving a car with only one headlight at Ballymacarry, Buncrana.

Lynch sped off and Gardai pursued him for ten kilometres in icy conditions during which he had a number of ‘close calls’ with other motorists.

He jumped out of the car at the old Post office in Burnfoot village and fled on foot across fields but was caught by Gardai.

Lynch appeared in court along with his mother whom the court was told had now taken the car off her son.

His solicitor Mr Ciaran Mac Lochlainn said Lynch had struggled at school but had a strong interest in cars.

He added that his client had successfully completed the Pro-Social driving course and pleaded with Judge Paul Kelly not to take away his license as he had recently been offered a job.

The judge, however, said there were a number of exacerbating factors which prevented him from allowing Lynch to escape a driving ban.

“What happened on January 1 was highly dangerous and, at one stage, three patrol cars were involved and he put them in danger so he could get across the border,” Judge Kelly said.

“One week later, in another appalling incident, he led Gardai on a chase for ten kilometres along icy roads. It’s very difficult to know what to do with this young man.”

The judge said he had decided not to jail Lynch because of his early plea, his previous clean record and the steps he had taken to deal with his driving.

He fined him a total of €200 and sentenced him to three months in prison but suspended that term for two years.

He also banned Lynch from driving for a total of four years.

But Judge Kelly warned Lynch that the prison sentences would be activated if he was caught driving while disqualified.

“You are extremely lucky that you are walking out of here today. You will not get that opportunity again,” he said.

 

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