Dangerous driver (22) jailed for four months
By Brendan Grehan
A DANGEROUS driver has been jailed for four months by Blanchardstown Court.
The court heard that on another occasion, Aaron Phipps was caught dealing cocaine and heroin.
Blanchardstown Court
Phipps, aged 22, with an address at Drom Na Coille, Lucan, pleaded guilty to having no insurance and dangerous driving at Liffey Walk and dangerous driving at St Loman’s Road, Lucan, on November 18, 2018.
He also pleaded guilty to simple possession of heroin, simple possession of cocaine, possession of heroin for sale or supply and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Bothar Na Life, Lucan, on May 18, 2017.
Phipps also pleaded guilty to having no insurance at Nangor Road, Clondalkin, on July 12, 2018.
Garda Donna Hanrahan told the court that on November 18 last, she observed Phibbs driving a silver VW Golf at speed on Liffey Walk.
She said she pursued Phipps and activated her blue lights and sirens and signalled for Phibbs to stop but he failed to do so.
She said Phibbs continued to drive at speed and two pedestrians had to take evasive action when he drove through a roundabout onto St Loman’s Road.
Garda Hanrahan said the speed limit on the road was 50 km/h but the patrol car pursuing Phipps was driving at 80 km/h.
She said Phipps later stopped the car and got into the back seat.
Garda Kevin Cooney told Judge McHugh that on May 18, 27, he observed Phipps drop two packages, one which contained five deals of cocaine worth €150 and one which contained four deals of heroin worth €170.
Garda Linda Ryan said she stopped Phipps in a car on the Nangor Road at 1.17am on July 12, 2018.
Garda Hanrahan said Phipps has 31 previous convictions, 27 of which were for road traffic offences.
She said he had five previous for no insurance and three for simple possession of drugs.
Phipps’ solicitor Wayne Kenny said his client has a criminal record with a number of previous for road traffic offences. He said Phipps has a job interview in the coming days and is trying to turn his life around.
Judge McHugh sentenced Phipps to four months jail with a 10-year ban for the first no insurance and fined him €500 with a two-year ban for the first dangerous driving. He also fined Phipps €500 for the heroin for sale or supply charge and €500 with an eight-year ban for the second no insurance .
The remaining matters were taken into consideration.
The Solicitor for the DPP asked Judge McHugh why he had not sentenced Phipps on the second dangerous driving charge as he had pleaded guilty to all matters.
Judge McHugh told the solicitor: “That is my decision and the State has its recourse.”
