A northern motorist caught doing 140 m.p.h. "did not realise the weapon he had in his hands", Dundalk District Court has been told. A solicitor, Mr James MacGuill, pleaded for leniency for his client, saying he was "too afraid to appear in court today".
Mr Richard McComb (21), Craigdarra Avenue, Moneydarragh Road, Annalong, Co Down, had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Woodlands, Dunleer, Co Louth, on July 25th last. Garda Paul Carrigy told the court he was operating the radar speed detector at 9.15 p.m. on that date. He detected a white Honda Integra at 140 m.p.h. in the 70 m.p.h. speed limit on the Dunleer bypass.
He followed the vehicle and stopped it at Mullens Cross where he arrested the driver for dangerous driving. The garda agreed with Mr MacGuill that the defendant was genuinely surprised by his speed. "He only had the car a couple of weeks and had a smaller car previous to it. He was very apologetic. He did not realise the weapon he had in his hands," the garda said.
Mr MacGuill said the whole episode had taught Mr McComb a salutary lesson, "so much so that he was afraid to appear today. He is 21, has never been in difficulties before and only recently acquired the vehicle". He asked the judge to be lenient and not to approach the case in as severe a manner as he could. Judge Brennan said that if the accused wanted lenience he should appear in court. He adjourned the case to September 30th.