Man who led Gardai on 130kph pursuit has case struck out after paying €2k to charity

By Brendan Grehan

A MOTORCYCLIST who led gardai on a 130kph pursuit on a stolen bike before crashing got a strike out in Tallaght Court after he paid €2,000 to charity, reports Brendan Grehan.

The court had heard that on November 2, 2014, Detective-Garda Gary Corrigan had been on mobile patrol in an unmarked garda car when his attention was drawn to a youth on a motorcycle in Cushlawn Estate.

On seeing the gardai, the youth “took off”. Det-Gda Corrigan activated his blue lights and sirens.

Aaron McGovern drove at speeds in excess of 130 km/h, the court had heard.

At one point McGovern mounted the footpath and then went back onto the road before crossing the path of two vehicles who had the right of way.

He then took a corner before crashing the motorcycle. The motorcycle had been stolen in North County Dublin.

Aaron McGovern, aged 20, with an address at Cushlawn Drive, Tallaght, had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Kiltipper Road, Tallaght, on November 2, 2014.

He had also pleaded guilty to possessing stolen property: a KTM motorcycle, no insurance and no driving licence at Kiltipper Road on the above date.

McGovern was before Judge Bridget Reilly for payment of €1,000 to MS Ireland and €1,000 to Aware.

The case had originally been heard by Judge John Lindsay who is currently indisposed due to illness.

McGovern’s counsel, George Burns Bl, said the monies were in court. Noting that both donations hadbeen paid, Judge Reilly struck out the case.