Three counts of dangerous driving on the N4

A man with an address in Sligo has been told to return to court with the sum of €750.

On June 16, 2015 an off duty garda noted a car driven by Piotr Szymanski, 25 Garavogue Villas, Sligo driving “in a dangerous manner” along the N4.

It was noted that Mr Szymanski's vehicle entered Castlebaldwin village without reducing its speed, nearly colliding with a traffic island.

Garda evidence read at last week's sitting of Carrick-on-Shannon District Court, described the defendant's driving as “erratic and aggressive.”

As a result, Mr Szymankski appeared before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on three counts of dangerous driving on June 16, 2015; one at Drumderry, Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo; one at Tawnytaskin, Boyle, Co Roscommon and one at Ballykeevian, Boyle, Co Roscommon.

Defending solicitor Gerry McGovern, said his client was prepared to offer a guilty plea to a reduced charge of careless driving at Drumderry, Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo.

In light of this plea to the lesser charge gardai agreed to strike out the remaining two summonses for dangerous driving.

In mitigation for the incident at Castlebaldwin, Mr McGovern said that his client's vehicle was entering a 50km zone from a 100km zone adding this is an area where “most traffic has to step on the brake.”

He said the road layout is “confusing with a traffic island in place.”

Judge Kevin Kilrane accepted he did not know what speed the defendant had been driving at when he entered the village as the garda who made the report was not present in court.

He added the situation was a “bit unsatisfactory” as there originally were three different charges of dangerous driving before the court and he is only hearing evidence in relation to one of these incidents in isolation.

Mr McGovern pointed out his client is a hardworking man who does a lot of travelling as part of his job.

“I know I'm asking a lot judge but maybe I could make a suggestion that (Mr Szymanski) come back with a sum of money to court.”

Judge Kilrane suggested Mr Szymanski return with €750 and adjourned the matter to May 25, 2018.