Stolen digger driver narrowly avoids jail

Digger narrowly missed colliding with a number of other vehicles and a house.

A thirty-nine-year-old man who took a stolen digger on a dangerous joyride has narrowly avoided prison.

Rafal Kryzysztof Dukas, of no fixed abode, told Enniskillen Magistrates Court he had drunk so much he couldn’t remember anything about the incident last weekend.

Dukas admitted driving dangerously, without a licence or insurance and while unfit through drink or drugs. He further admitted handling the digger knowing it had been stolen in the Republic of Ireland.

District Judge Alana McSorley heard that police had received numerous reports of a Volvo digger being driven in a dangerous manner in the Derrylin area of Fermanagh around 8pm on Saturday last, November 29.

It was contended that the digger narrowly missed colliding with a number of other vehicles using the Belturbet Road, and also came within very close proximity of a house.

When PSNI officers arrived, they discovered the digger lying partially on its side in a ditch and Dukas still sitting behind the wheel.

Signs of intoxication were noted and Dukas was arrested, providing an evidential alcohol reading of 75mcg- 30mcg in excess of the legal limit.

During interview the defendant admitted all charges put to him, telling PSNI officers he had taken the digger from his place of work- O'Reilly Precast manufacturing site, located just south of the border near Belturbet.

A defence solicitor conceded the incident was “bizarre and potentially dangerous in equal measure. He cannot offer any reason as to why he took the digger in the first place.”

At this, speaking from the Magistrates' dock Dukas said: “To be honest, I drank so much I can’t remember anything.”

His defence added: “There were no injuries or damage to property, but it is accepted this was a severe incident.”

Dukas had not previous convictions, and his representation said the accused man “deeply regrets” his actions.

“Driving a digger while over the limit was completely reckless and dangerous,” remarked Judge McSorley. “It is only by good fortune that no-one was injured.”

She decided the matter did cross the custody threshold, however given Dukas' previously clean record she agreed to suspend the six months imposed for a period of two years.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years.