A young Waterford man who was involved in a string of road traffic offences including a “high speed chase” through the city was recently given a chance, as his case was put back for a year.
Sean Moran (18) of 9 Avondale Drive, Waterford, appeared before Judge John Cheatle at a sitting of Waterford District Court in December for charges including dangerous driving without a valid licence and insurance, contrary to Sections 53 (1), 56(1) & (3), 38(1) and Section 40 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Act, and driving a vehicle without consent of the owner, contrary to section 112 of the same act, relating to an incident where he drove a car through Waterford city while being pursued by Gardaí on 2 August this year.
The accused also appeared in court for separate charges of driving an e-moped bike without a valid licence and insurance, contrary to Section 38 (1) and Section 56 (1) & (3) of the Road Traffic Act, after he was identified while driving past and “saluting” a member of An Garda Síochána on Killure Road, Kilcohan, on 8 October this year.
The court heard that a vehicle was taken from outside a residence in Bunmahon on 31 July this year, and while Gardaí were on patrol in the city on 2 August, they encountered a vehicle matching its description driving in an “erratic manner.” Following this, they pursued the vehicle through the city, where it was stated that it reached a speed of 120km on the Outer Ring Road, before entering St John’s Park at speed and finally coming to a stop. The occupants of the vehicle fled, and the accused was identified as the driver.
The court was told that the second incident on 8 October involved the accused and another individual driving past a Garda member on an e-moped bike and ‘saluting’ them with a thumbs up. It is understood that the accused was known to the officer, and he was later arrested after it was discovered that he was driving without holding a valid licence or insurance for the bike.
New legislation that was introduced in 2024 classifies e-bikes that operate solely from a motor as mechanically-propelled vehicles, and they are officially referred to as e-mopeds. A licence is required for two-wheel mopeds with a maximum speed of 45km/h.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham highlighted that his client has reached a “period of stability” since the incidents, as he has since received an ADHD diagnosis and has achieved more emotional regulation. He highlighted that his client was “oblivious” to the recent change in legislation surrounding the need for a licence and insurance for these bikes, and that it was a case of “everyone else having one.”
The accused, who was present in court with his mother, was noted to have previous convictions.
Judge Cheatle highlighted that the accused took a car and went on a “high speed chase” through Waterford city, and indicated that he would have little confidence in him when considering this alongside his previous convictions.
Judge Cheatle decided he put the case back for a year to give the accused “a chance to prove himself” by coming to no further Garda attention, and to allow time for a report to be completed by the Probation Service. He indicated that a suspended sentence would be considered upon the completion of a good report.
Judge Cheatle also issued the accused with an order to not drive any mechanically-propelled vehicles during this period of time.
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