Portlaoise Court: Driver found in hospital after car overturned in a hit and run
Portloaise Courthouse
WHEN gardaí responded to a car crash at Emmett Street, Mountmellick last year, they encountered an upturned vehicle in the middle of the road. There was nobody in the car, but later that day, gardaí found the driver in Portlaoise hospital.
Arising from the incident, Jason Ryan from College View, Mountmellick pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to driving while uninsured, driving without a driving licence, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, driving unaccompanied as an learner driver and two counts of dangerous driving on 20 April 2024.
Garda Stephen O’Hanlon told the court that at 4.40pm that day he came across the road traffic incident and saw a car on its roof in the middle of the road in Emmett Street. He observed that the overturned vehicle had crashed into the back of a parked car.
Later that day, he spoke to Mr Ryan, who was receiving medical attention in Portlaoise hospital.
He said the damage caused to the car, which was written off, was €10,500.
The court heard that the defendant, who is currently in custody in Limerick Prison and is due for release on 13 July, had 32 previous convictions.
Judge Susan Fay requested a probation report on the defendant and adjourned the case to 7 April.
