Man in the Midlands suffered life-threatening injuries after he chased another car

A man who crashed his car while drunk, causing himself life-threatening injuries after he sped after another vehicle two years ago has received a suspended sentence and a driving disqualification.

Ronan Noone (33), of Ballycloughan, Carrickboy, Co Longford, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens last Tuesday at Longford District Court, where he had previously entered a plea of guilty to the charge of intentionally or recklessly setting off in a chase with another car.

The incident occurred at around 11.45pm on November 26, 2022 at Toneen, Moydow, Co Longford.
Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the state, told the court that, on the night of the incident, another motorist encountered a vehicle stopped in the middle of the road, making it difficult to pass.
When the other motorist did manage to pass, the accused turned and followed him, causing the injured party and his passenger to be in fear.

The vehicle sped up and, at one point, the vehicles were travelling at over 160 km per hour on the narrow country road.

“While in pursuit of the injured party, he (Mr Noone) lost control of the vehicle and crashed, causing himself life-threatening injuries and catastrophic damage to the car,” he said.

The collision was so forceful that the engine was ripped from the car.

“There is CCTV footage of him outside a local pub earlier in the day and he appeared to be intoxicated,” said Sgt Mahon.

Solicitor for the defence, Mr Frank Gearty, told the court that his client has “no recollection of events leading up to or directly after the crash”.

“He was in a coma for several weeks. He has recovered a wiser man and acknowledges he was drinking on the night,” said Mr Gearty.

“He entered a plea of guilty to all charges and he recognises and accepts that there will be a disqualification. He is appalled by the consequences of his actions and the fear he caused to others.

“He was fully covered by insurance and no claim was made in relation to that.”

He went on to say Mr Noone is a carpenter, with no children. He is a single man and has no previous convictions, has a full licence and comes from “a vibrant and very fine family”.

“He is shocked and disgusted by what he did. He's currently on disability allowance but there is a job waiting for him in Australia once he has recovered,” Mr Gearty added.

“He has learned a lot from this. He nearly met his maker and he made no attempt to shirk the fact that his driving was dangerous.

“To society he owes an apology and an assurance that he has learned his lesson.”

Judge Owens said there were a number of factors she needed to take into consideration, including the “very serious nature” of the charges and the “absolutely horrific” possibility of injury to others or loss of life.

She noted he had entered a plea of guilty to all charges and that he came before the court with no previous convictions.

She also noted his engagement with the probation office and the fact that he had been assessed at low risk of reoffending.

Referring to a victim impact statement by the two people in the other car, she said “we don't know how frightened they must have been” but added that they came back and sought to assist Mr Noone after he had chased them.

With that in mind, on a charge of endangerment, Judge Owens handed down a five month prison sentence, which she suspended in full for a period of 12 months on an own bond of €250 subject to a payment of €500 to St Christopher's School on or before January 20, 2025.

On the drink driving charge, she fined him €250, giving him nine months to pay, and disqualified him for four years.
On one dangerous driving charge, she added on a further fine of €500, with nine months to pay, and disqualified him for six years. A second dangerous driving charge was taken into consideration.