Took flight in lorry when confronted by owner

A 27-year-old man with a Dublin address was given a six-months prison sentence for unlawfully taking possession of a lorry in Virginia and subsequently crashing it at the Hotel Kilmore causing extensive damage to the vehicle and to a wall. Mark Kelly, with an address at 17, Marewood Drive, Ballymun, Dublin 11, was sentenced to six months imprisonment in Castlerea prison for taking possession of a vehicle at Cloughergoole, Virginia, on December 19, 2009, without the consent of the owner, Gerard Gillick. Mr. Gerard Nevin, solicitor, defending, submitted to the court that the incident happened during the very cold weather. The defendant, who was on medication, had been drinking and got into the vehicle to keep warm. When he was approached by the owner he took flight. "He wasn't a very well man," said Mr. Nevin of his client. Judge Sean MacBride pointed out the extensive costs of the damage and told Mr. Kelly, "You must serve a prison sentence". He handed down the prison sentence and disqualified the defendant from driving for five years. Recognisances were fixed in the event of appeal. Kelly was also disqualified from driving for three years to run concurrently and fined €150 on summonses for drink driving and not having insurance.