Man jailed for hit and run
A man admitted two separate hit and run offences in Laois including one which left an elderly man with injuries.
Patrick Maughan, 62, of St Margarets Park, Ballymun, Dublin appeared before Portlaoise District Court from prison via video link.
Garda Alan Dunford said the defendant sideswiped a car in Abbeyleix on May 15, 2019 at 3.05pm. He said the defendant pulled in 20 or 30 metres away and his passenger, a woman, verbally abused the injured party. The defendant was identified by dashcam footage.
Garda Dunford said the damage to the car amounted to €1,829.
“I believe the Motor Insurance Bureau of Irealnd have looked after it,” he said.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was involved in a second hit and run at The Heath on October 6, 2019. He said the defendant was in a blue ford focus that left the scene.
Sgt Kirby said the injured party, who was 73-years-old, suffered a cut to his left hand which bled heavily. He said the defendant has 78 previous convictions including 12 for burglary.
Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy said his client had been with a woman who was 15 years his junior but has significantly more convictions than the defendant. He described the woman as “a force to be reckoned with” and said it was she had been abusive to the first injured party. Mr McCarthy said his client was to a certain extent under the influence of the woman.
He said his client has significant health issues and is taking “a plethora” of medication while in custody.
“He is not a gent who ever benefited from an education,” Mr McCarthy added.
Judge Andrew Cody said the man was disqualified from driving for 15 years at the time of the offending. He noted he had ten previous convictions for no insurance and would have 12 once sentenced.
Judge Cody sentenced the man to four months in prison to commence on the expiry of the sentence he is currently serving.
“I am sorry for getting into so much trouble,” the man said as he was sentenced.
Judge Cody fixed recognisance in case of appeal.