Offaly man stole catalytic converter from car before leading gardai on a chase
A MAN who stole a catalytic converter from a car before leading gardai on a chase was disqualified from driving and fined at Tullamore District Court.
On April 26, 2022, at St Francis Street, Edenderry, Martin Mongan (21), 34, Tara Crescent, Tullamore stole the item from a parked car and then took off in a white van.
At a previous court sitting evidence was given that Garda Feighery and Garda Allen had indicated to Mr Mongan to stop but he failed to do so. He went through a number of stop signs and drove into Daingean on the wrong side of the road. He was also turning on his indicators from right to left and swerving on the road.
He took up speed through Croghan and was driving erratically before colliding with a wall.
Solicitor Donal Farrelly said his client had a long history of depression. He said he thought the car from which he stole the catalytic converter was abandoned.
A probation report was before Judge Cody at last week's sitting. Mr Farrelly described it as very positive. Sergeant James O' Sullivan said Mr Mongan had no previous convictions.
Mr Farrelly said Mr Mongan was in court with his family. He reiterated that Mr Mongan was never in trouble before and he was a valued member of the community other than this.
He was completing lessons to get his driving licence and he asked for time for him to complete that before any disqualification was imposed.
Judge Cody asked if the owner of the car had been compensated. Sgt O'Sullivan said the catalytic converter had been recovered after the chase.
Judge Cody fined the defendant €200 on each of the charges of dangerous driving through Mountlucas, Croghan, Daingean, Clonard, and he disqualified him from driving for two years but postponed it to October 1 2023 to allow the defendant to do his driving test.
For the charge of criminal damage to the car he fined him €300 and given 12 months to pay.