Two-year ban for teenager guilty of dangerous driving over speed ramps
By Brendan Grehan
A TEENAGE dangerous driver left Tallaght District Court with a two-year driving ban.
Christopher Prizeman was before Judge Patricia McNamara for a probation report.
Judge McNamara told Prizeman: “It is a very poor report. You failed to attend for two appointments with the Probation Service. I am going to deal with this case today.”
Prizeman, aged 18, with an address at Kilmartin Avenue, Tallaght, had been found guilty of dangerous driving at a location in Tallaght on November 20, 2017.
Prizeman is also accused of simple possession of cannabis herb at Topaz, Old Blessington Road, Tallaght, on January 5, 2018.
Sergeant Michael Ahern told Judge McNamara that on the above date, Prizeman had been found in possession of two bags of cannabis herb worth €60.
In relation to the dangerous driving, the court had heard that at 12.55pm on November 20, 2017, Garda Neil Watershad 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 playing football.
The garda added that the driver, whom he identified as Prizeman, drove at speed over a number of speed ramps.
Garda Waters said Prizeman then abandoned the car and took off on foot. He said he found Prizeman hiding in the men’s bathroom of the Fettercairn Community Centre.
Garda Waters said Prizeman was arrested and taken to Tallaght Garda Station where he was later released into the custody of his parents, the court had heard.
Judge McNamara told Prizeman’s solicitor, Eddie O’Connor, that his client had “ongoing disengagement with the Probation Services”.
Sergeant Ahern said Prizeman had five previous convictions, the most recent of which was a two-year ban for no insurance from Tallaght Court on March 4 last.
Mr O’Connor said his client was trying to put his past behind hm.
Judge McNamara fined Prizeman €150 for the drugs charge and imposed a two-year driving ban with a €250 fine for the dangerous driving.
