Was overtaking on the hard shoulder of N3

A Cavan man who hoped to join the gardaí but was observed by officer from that force overtaking on the hard shoulder on the main Dublin to Cavan Road and reaching speeds in excess of 124kmh was disqualified from driving for six months. Rory Daly, Corfehone, Poles, was also fined €500 when charged with dangerous driving at Drummallaght, Ballyjamesduff, on May 28, at a sitting of Virginia District Court. Inspector Seamus Boyle said at 2.55pm gardaí were operating a speed check point at Lisgrey, Virginia, when they detected a car overtaking another car at 124kmh in the 100kmh zone. They followed both cars and garda Traynor formed the opinion that they were involved in a chase. According to the speedometer in the patrol car the exact speed was well in excess of 140kmh. Garda Traynor than saw one of the vehicles overtake the other on the hard shoulder. When he observed he signalled both vehicles to stop. The car that overtook on the hard should was driven by Rory Daly. Defending solicitor Mr. Alan Crossan said it was a bad case and it was a stupid thing for his client to do. The other car was been driven by his sister's boyfriend and they were "acting the maggot." It was an isolated incident. Judge Seam MacBride described it as a very bad case. "Your client was driving at 140km and overtaking on the inside." The gardaí were barely able to keep up with them. "I would be utterly failing in my duty if I didn't disqualify your client from holding a licence." He had a discretion on the length of disqualification and the minimum was six months. Judge MacBride added that he couldn't do anything other than that. Taking into account the fact that the defendant had no previous convictions the normal fine would have been €1,000 and if it had been contested and he was convicted it would have been €3000. "You are talking about a very serious situation." Everyone had seen the accidents in the newspapers or the terrible TV adds where people recall losing loved ones because of accidents where they say 'they only went out for a few minutes' but they were gone forever. That was what the country was dealing with at the moment, he added. He was not going to let people down and he had to have regard for other people on the road. "This kind of driving is not going to be tolerated." The defendant was driving too fast and overtook on the inside on the hard shoulder. He was being pursued by a garda car as well. "It is not on." Judge MacBride said it as not an isolated incident doing 140kmh on the road. "I'm doing him a favour as when his licence is restored he will not be at this again." His life or the life and lives of other innocent people could be saved. Mr. Cross pointed out that his client wished to join the gardaí and he had €1000 in court to be used as a charitable donation. "Not even if he came into court with €1 million to build a memorial hospital would I not be disqualifying him." Judge MacBride added again he would be failing in his judicial oath. "It was outrageous speed and there was car chasing going on." He was sorry but that was what he had to do. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.