'No promises' for Kildare-based soldier facing dangerous driving charge

A SOLDIER stationed in the Curragh Camp appeared before a recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court charged with dangerous driving and with a hit and run offence.

Before the court was Steven Dolan from The Borough, Maryborough Hill, Douglas, Cork.

Barrister Andrew Dunne asked Judge Andrew Cody to consider reducing the charge to one of careless driving due to the nature of his client's profession.

Sgt Jason Hughes told the court that on 17 August that while gardaí were manning checkpoints along the R445 Stradbally to Portlaoise Road during the Electric Picnic, they stopped a car, which took off.

The car approached another checkpoint, where it again took off, hitting and injuring a garda. The garda was taken to hospital after he sustained soft tissue injuries to his neck.

The court was told that despite gardaí shouting at the driver to stop at the first checkpoint, he continued driving on.

“He was stopped at the first checkpoint and fled, and stopped at the second and fled from there too, and you want me to reduce the charge,” asked Judge Cody.

“It would have significant consequences for him in his profession,” said Mr Dunne. “He joined the Samaritans in 2021 in Cork, and when he moved to the Curragh Camp he continued as a volunteer with the Newbridge branch.

“He raises funds for Rainbow (support group for children and young people following bereavement, parental separation and relationship breakdown) and is involved and plays rugby with Portarlington Rugby Club.” 

Mr Dunne said that his 27-year old client sincerely regrets about how he addressed the situation and following the incident sought how the injured party was on numerous occasions.

Sgt Hughes said that Mr Dolan had a previous conviction for a hit and run offence in 2021 where he struck a wall with a car and left the scene.

Mr Dunne said his client had €10,000 with him in court, and if the judge agreed he could contribute half of that to the injured garda and half to the court “to do with it what it seems fit and in return give him a fine and give him a fighting chance at the military hearing”.

He said the hit and run incident in 2021 the wheel on his car had been buckled and there was only slight paint damage done to the wall which Mr Dolan paid for and repainted himself.

Judge Cody asked: “Why did he drive away from two checkpoints. The gardaí shouted after him to stop. Why did he drive off?” 

Mr Dunne replied: “He thought it was traffic diversions. It was a moment of panic.” 

“I have a lot of concerns about this," said the judge. "I’m sceptical about why people leave checkpoints. Whether it’s about what’s been ingested or what’s about to be ingested."

He said that he was “making no promises,” and ordered the €10,000 that Mr Dolan had brought to court be donated to the Curragh branch of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na Éireann (ONE) the organisation of ex-service personnel and take part in the Pro-Social Driving Programme for those as a result or consequence of their driving behaviour.

The case was adjourned to 9 October.