Man ‘dozed off’ and crashed into a wall in Portlaoise

A man who “dozed off” and crashed his car into a wall in Portlaoise before walking home pleaded guilty to hit and run. 

Samuel Madu (21) of 14 The Crescent, Kilminchy, Portlaoise admitted failing to remain at the scene, give proper information or report a collision on the Block Road, Portlaoise on August 8, 2024. 

Garda Rebecca Cleary gave evidence of attending the scene of a road traffic collision on that date and finding an 06C registered black VW Golf blocking the footpath. She said enquiries revealed the registered owner was the accused. 

“He admitted driving the vehicle at the time and leaving the scene,” she said. The car had damage to the front driver's side and front wheel, she added. 

“There was no other party. He collided with a wall,” Garda Cleary said. She said “there was no damage to the wall itself.” She said the man had two previous convictions.

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client cooperated fully when approached by gardaí. He said the collision occurred on a severe S-shaped bend on the road. He said the man was living with his parents and had a qualification “in the pharma area” and had completed a diploma in Tallaght last year. 

“He came off the motorway at Junction 17 rather than Junction 16,” said Mr Meagher. He said the man “wasn’t particularly familiar with the Block Road” and he had “basically dozed” off before the collision. 

Mr Meagher said his client had decided to walk home and sort out the collision the following day. 

Judge Andrew Cody asked when the crash had occurred. 

Garda Cleary said she had attended the scene at 9.22am but she was unaware of the time of the collision. 

“He would say that it was a number of hours before that,” said Mr Meagher. 

Garda Cleary confirmed the man had told them he had left his friend’s house at 12.30am and was returning home. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €500 and granted legal aid.