Man jailed for 'absolute madness' in Kildare car chase
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN who led gardaí on a “lights and sirens” chase through practically every parish in south Kildare for almost 20 minutes reaching speeds approaching 200kph, was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for six years.
Anthony Davis (24), of Crannagh, Stradbally, Co Laois was appearing in Athy District Court for sentencing on 14 separate charges of speeding, dangerous driving, and various road traffic offences, including driving uninsured whilst banned following his apprehension near Geraldine Cross on 27 February.
As he had previously pleaded guilty, the court was told that Mr Davis had 13 previous convictions, the most recent on 15 April 2025 when he was disqualified from driving for six years for driving without insurance while already banned.
Sergeant Dave Hanrahan told the court that chase lasted 18 minutes and “reached speeds in excess of 190kph”.
“What were the road conditions at the time?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“I don’t have that,” said the sergeant, “but it was night time”.
“It started on the Dublin Road in Athy and then went through Geraldine Cross, Burt Cross, Fontstown, Ballitore, Crookstown, ended up near Castlemitchell,” he added.
“The gardaí were going lights and sirens all the way?” asked the judge.
“Yes, judge,” answered Sgt Hanrahan.
“He stupidly made this mistake, and he knows he’s facing a jail sentence and a long term ban,” said defending solicitor Seamus Boyle.
“He’s a tyre fitter by trade, and that is the only part of a car he will be in contact with for a long time,” said Mr Boyle.
“For all his craziness on the night in question, there was no alcohol or drugs in his system,” he added in mitigation.
“He can’t offer any excuse because of his stupidity.
“He lives at home with him mother, and is her sole support.
“He will never see the inside of a car for a long time."
The judge commented: “There could have been catastrophic consequences chasing for 18 minutes at speeds in excess of 190kph."
He added: “This was absolute madness, but thankfully there were no accidents".
The judge handed down the one-year sentence, and another six year driving ban, to run concurrently.
