Dangerous driver (17) calls garda a pr**k face

The teenager, who has an address in Tallaght, had pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving at a location in Tallaght on November 20, 2017.

He was accompanied in court by his mother.

Garda Waters told the court that at 12.55pm on November 20 last, he had been on patrol in Tallaght when he saw a small Suzuki car. 

He said that when the driver saw the garda car he drove off at speed into Kilcarrig Avenue.

Garda Waters said that at the time St Mark’s school was on break and there were a lot of children around in the area and playing football.

He said the driver, whom he identified as the teenager, drove at speed over a number of speed ramps.

Garda Waters said the teenager then abandoned the car and took off on foot.

He said he found the teenager hiding in the mens bathroom of the Fettercairn Community Centre.

Garda Waters said the teenager was arrested and taken to Tallaght Garda Station where he was later released into the custody of his parents.

Garda Waters said he felt the teenagers driving was dangerous.

Under cross-examination from the teenager’s solicitor, Eddie O’Connor, Garda Waters said he was sure the teenager had been driving the car.

Mr O’Connor said his client would claim that he was a passenger in the car but had not been driving.

The teenager told the court that he had not been driving the car.

Garda Waters asked him if he wasn’t driving the car to name the driver.

The teenager said he wouldn’t as he wasn’t “a rat”.

He then told Garda Waters “I wasn’t driving pr**k face.”

Judge McNamara told the court that after hearing all the evidence, she found the teenager guilty.

Garda Waters said the teenager had no previous convictions. Judge McNamara said the teenager “seems to have issues with anger and his behaviour”.

She adjourned the case for a month for a presentence report.