Man stopped by gardai was ‘kicking out’

A MOTORIST who became aggressive and had to be handcuffed when pulled over by gardai was fined and banned from the road for two years at Blanchardstown District Court.

Robert Kerr (38), with an address of Foxdene Drive, Clondalkin, appeared in court, facing road traffic charges for driving without insurance/driver’s licence, and obstruction charges.

Garda Liam Varley told the court that on April 24, 2024, gardai observed a car driving erratically in Clondalkin and when they stopped the vehicle, the driver, identified as Mr Kerr became aggressive, wouldn’t accompany them to the patrol car and was “kicking out.”

Kerr was “eventually handcuffed” and “brought to the ground in a safe manner” then conveyed to Ronanstown Garda Station where he continued to be aggressive at the station.

The court heard Kerr has 160 previous convictions, including 140 for road traffic matters, and was currently serving a 25-year driving ban.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said his client had subsequently apologised a number of times to the gardai involved and has not come to attention since.

Mr Fleming said his client is breaking off a cycle of offences “bordering a decade”, has a young child, cares for his elderly mother and is actively engaging employment agencies.

Judge John Brennan was not impressed by the “brutal nature” of the defendant’s reaction to gardai.

On the other hand, Judge Brennan noted an eight-year gap since the previous offence and that Kerr appeared to have “got his act together.”

Judge Brennan imposed a six-month sentence suspended for two years, and also fined Kerr €400 and banned him from driving for two years.

Funded by the Local Courts Reporting Scheme