HEADFORD MAN GETS PRISON SENTENCE FOR HIGH SPEED CHASE

Date Published: 04-Mar-2008

An uninsured boy racer who was chased at high speed by Gardai from Galway city to Shrule in Co. Mayo and back again, has been sentenced to twenty one months in prison.

20 year old Hugh O’Sullivan, of Cloonee, Headford, pleaded guilty to twenty charges of dangerous driving and to driving without insurance on July 22 last year.

The 90-mile chase began at around 12.30 a.m. at Ballybrit Industrial Estate in Galway City.

Garda Gerry Staunton and Garda Jason Kelly found O’Sullivan doing ‘donuts’ with his Toyota Starlet car in the middle of a circle of boy racer cars.

O’Sullivan, who was accompanied by a female front seat passenger, drove straight at the Garda car at speed and only veered away from a head-on collision at the last second.

He then left the estate at high speed and the chase that ensued

The court heard the accused was not covered by insurance to drive the Starlet that night.

Judge Fahy imposed consecutive sentences on seven of the dangerous driving charges and on the insurance charge, totalling 21 months detention.

She also disqualified O’Sullivan from driving for seven years.

Leave to appeal the sentences was granted and O’Sullivan walked free from court yesterday evening, pending an appeal hearing.