Laois motorist reached speeds of 180km/ph during garda chase
Speedometer 180kph
A DRIVER who reached speeds of more than 180km/ph while being pursued by a garda car, presented himself later that evening at Portlaoise Garda Station.
Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said that on 24 July last year while gardaí were on speed detection duty along the 120km/ph M7 motorway at The Great Heath, they detected a car pass them at a speed of 149km/ph. They gave chase, but the car failed to stop and undertook other vehicles as it sped away.
He said the car they were pursuing reached speeds of up to 189km and in the interest of other road users gardaí ceased in their pursuit after the car turned off onto a side road and drove in the direction of Vicarstown.
Sgt Kirby said later the same evening the driver of the car, who had no previous convictions, presented himself at Portlaoise Garda Station.
Defending solicitor Philip Meagher said his client, Szymon Lichota (19), Chestnut Avenue, Esker Hills, Portlaoise was pleading guilty to the offence of dangerous driving.
He said on the day, the defendant had been driving a car that his father had purchased for him and for his sister and he “just went for a drive in it with a friend. When he saw the garda car, he panicked and sped away. He is beside himself with shame and with regret. I don’t think this man will ever darken the door of a courthouse ever again.” Judge Susan Fay convicted Mr Lichota of dangerous driving, fined him €400 and disqualified him from driving for two years.
