Motorist involved in high speed chase on motorway jailed

A mechanic who led gardaí on a chase hitting speeds in excess of 200kph has been jailed. 

Dylan Deegan, 25, of 20 Old Town Avenue, Santry, Dublin 9 admitted to dangerous driving, not having a licence or insurance and evading a toll on the M7 in Laois on March 13, 2020. 

Garda Stephen O’Hanlon gave evidence of detecting a red Skoda Octavia on the M7 driving at 164kph. The vehicle failed to stop and Garda O’Hanlon gave pursuit and observed the car travelling in excess of 200kph. 

“It tailgated a truck through the toll plaza,” said Garda O’Hanlon. 

The car “took off at speed” once through the toll plaza and the garda helicopter joined the pursuit all the way to Dublin. He said the defendant had 32 previous convictions. 

David Nugent BL said his client had been prosecuted for the driving incidents in Dublin on the day. He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the man was being supported by his family in court. 

The man had trained with Ford and was a qualified mechanic, said Mr Nugent. There had been tragedy in his life at the time of the offending, he explained. 

“He and his partner had suffered a tragedy and lost a child,” he said.

Mr Nugent said his client wishes to turn his life around and put this behind him. 

Judge Andrew Cody described the charges as “serious offences”. He said in relation to the three dangerous driving charges and the no insurance, he was going to impose six months each concurrent with the final three months suspended. All of the other charges were taken into consideration. 

He fixed recognisance in case of appeal.