Man left key in ignition of crashed car and left the scene of crash in Offaly

A man involved in a hit and run left the scene. Before last week's Tullamore District Court was Leon Joyce (32) of Woodlane, Hillside, Birr, Offaly.

In his evidence to the court, Sergeant Richard Thornton said that on November 4, 2022, Mr Joyce had crashed his car into a road sign at Railway Road, Birr and failed to report it.

When Gardai arrived at the scene the key was in the ignition but there was no one present. Having discovered the owner of the car was Mr Joyce they rang him but there was no answer from his phone.

Solicitor Donal Farrelly said Mr Joyce works continuously and may have nodded off.

Mr Joyce said in evidence that when he hit the sign the airbags didn't go off and he had hit his head and he may have suffered concussion. He said he had no way of contacting the Gardai as his phone was at home.

He said he had gone to Edenderry Garda Station the next morning and spoke to a garda.

He said he was a lorry driver at the time and had been in Donegal that day. He said he was doing up a house in Birr as he was under pressure to get out of the house he was in.

''I was wrecked and must have nodded off,'' he said. He said he had hit his head and felt dizzy afterwards.

He said a ''ban garda'' had told him everything was okay as he had reported the incident and there shouldn't be any more about it.

Sergeant Thornton said the defendant had three previous convictions including one for drink driving, and driving unaccompanied.

Mr Joyce said he knew how it looked but it was ''complete exhaustion''.

Judge Cody warned Mr Joyce that he needs to be a lot more careful and he fined him €500 and gave him three months to pay.