Sulky race on rural Limerick road ‘not acceptable’
FOUR MEN were before Kilmallock Court for taking part in a sulky race on a country road and accused of “wilfully or recklessly permitting a horse to pose a danger to a person or property”.
Charlie McDonagh, aged 40, of Sharwood Estate, Newcastle West; Brendan Quilligan, aged 24, of Sharwood Estate, Newcastle West; Patrick Quilligan, aged 26, of Assumpta Park, Newcastle West; and Dermot Quilligan, aged 43, of Assumpta Park, Newcastle West all pleaded guilty to the offence under the Control of Horses Act.
Mr McDonagh and Brendan Quilligan were also charged with endangerment – intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. The endangerment charges against both men were withdrawn by the State.
Inspector Gearoid Thompson, prosecuting, said Detective Garda O’Shea encountered the defendants riding sulkies at Knockane Road, Newcastle West on April 19, 2020.
“They were engaged in a sulky race on a narrow road - from Monagea down to the N21. The detective felt the need to stop them in their actions for fear of injuring pedestrians or damaging property. They were going too quick. It was 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon,” said Insp Thompson, who added that Mr McDonagh has previous convictions for public order, no insurance and speeding.
Michael O’Donnell, solicitor for Mr McDonagh, said his client’s family have always been involved with horses.
“It is the first time he has been in court in relation to horses. I took a screenshot from a video. It was not as dramatic as sometimes can be visualised,” said Mr O’Donnell, who handed the photos to Judge Marie Keane.
The solicitor said it was a quiet country road and even quieter than normal due to the Covid pandemic.
“They were not very far from home - two or three kilometres. There was no real risk or anything of that sort,” said Mr O’Donnell.
Judge Keane said it was “not acceptable”.
In mitigation, Mr O’Donnell said his client is a married man with a six year-old child. Mr McDonagh was also before the court for non attendance at a previous court sitting.
Mr O’Donnell said the defendant was in the UK working and when he returned to Ireland “immediately contacted the warrant’s office”.
The solicitor asked Judge Keane to consider a court poor book donation in lieu of a conviction.
Judge Keane convicted and fined Mr McDonagh €300 for his role in the sulky race and €100 for non attendance at a previous court date.
Judge Keane said it was 4pm in the afternoon when children would be coming home from school.
Mr O’Donnell said there was no school at that time due to Covid.
Enda O’Connor, solicitor for Patrick Quilligan, said his client was part of the event.
“He was travelling in convoy. He is a young man. They should have observed better safety measures. He apologised to gardai, He works in the UK,” said Mr O’Connor.
Judge Keane fined Patrick Quilligan €250.
Kevin Power, solicitor for Dermot Quilligan, said his client also works in the UK and there were similar facts.
Judge Keane fined Dermot Quilligan €250.
Mr O’Donnell also represented Brendan Quilligan on the Control of Horses summons and failing to appear at a previous court date.
“He is the father of two children. He got a job in the UK and couldn’t make it back. He made arrangements with the warrant office,” said Mr O’Donnell.
Jude Keane fined Brendan Quilligan €300 for his part in the sulky race and €100 for not-attendance at a previous court sitting.