Kabir Alli, Claddagh Park, Tom Bellew Avenue, Dundalk, was sentenced in the district court to three months’ imprisonment and disqualified for two years for dangerous driving at Dromad, Co. Louth.
He was also fined €200 and disqualified for six years for refusing to provide a sample at Dundalk Garda Station.
Judge Dara Hayes said that what occurred on February 5, 2022, was an “appalling incident of driving”.
While Mr Alli had mental health difficulties that didn’t entitle him to place others in significant harm.
Barrister Ronan O’Carroll, instructed by solicitor Fiona D’Arcy, said it was a traumatic experience for the woman who was behind the wheel of the minibus.
A probation report stated that the appellant had not much insight into his wrongdoing.
This happened during a period of psychosis. Mr Alli, a carer, was maintaining his medication now.
He accepted that his behaviour on the night was indefensible and can never be repeated.
Judge Hayes remarked that although the appellant was assessed as suitable for community service, his lack of insight in the probation officer’s opinion was of some concern.
This was an “appalling incident of driving” at Junction 20 of the M1 at the Carrickdale Hotel exit.
Mr Alli was in a UK-registered car. There was no explanation for this as he has been living in Ireland since childhood, the judge said.
He crashed a number of times into a mini bus, causing significant damage to this vehicle including the driver’s seat such was the force of the collision.
He was arrested 1km away having walked southbound on the hard shoulder.
Judge Hayes said that the female driver of the minibus was placed in fear. She was travelling southbound minding her own business when “struck with considerable force”.
She had driven to the Ballymascanlon roundabout and onto the Carlingford Road where she sought assistance.
She no longer drove at night as a result of what happened.
It was “appalling driving” by the other man who has previous convictions including for drink driving. He had not come to garda attention since.
Judge Hayes varied the district court order, increasing the three-month sentence to six months, 150 hours community service in lieu to be completed within 12 months.
The two-year disqualification for dangerous driving was increased to six years.
The six-year disqualification on the refusal charge remains and the judge also imposed a six-month sentence, suspended in its entirety for 12 months.
A stay was put on the start of the disqualifications to August 29 next.
Legal aid was granted.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme