A TRAVELLING salesman was spotted by Gardai overtaking cars at a traffic calming island before he overtook a tractor on the crest of a hill.
Jack McCauley (36) of 38 Mulberry Avenue, Buncrana, was before the district court charged with two counts of dangerous driving at Moylemoss, Newtowncunningham and Speenogue, Burt, on April 5 last.
Garda Sergeant, Jim Collins, said Gardai were on mobile patrol at Moylemoss on the day in question when they observed a car crossing on to the opposite side of the road in order to get around a traffic island while overtaking other cars.
The Garda patrol car went in pursuit and, at Speenogue, they witnessed the same car overtake a tractor on a continuous white line, on the crest of a hill.
“He could have caused a collision,” Sgt Collins told Judge Paul Kelly, before adding that McCauley was fully co-operative when they finally caught up with him. The court heard he had no previous convictions.
Defending solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, told Judge Kelly that his client is a married father of one child and that he worked all over the country as a traveling salesman.
While admitting that his actions were ‘totally inexcusable’, the solicitor said McCauley was fully apologetic and pleaded with the judge to reduce the dangerous driving charge to a lesser one of careless driving.
“His licence is essential to him as he is the main provider in the household,” Mr Gallagher said.
Judge Kelly ordered McCauley to complete the Pro-Social Driving Course, and pay €250 towards the cost of it.
He said that, if he successfully completed the course, he would consider reducing the charges and convict McCauley of one charge of careless driving and fine him €250