A young Oranmore man who hung out the window of a moving car and threw a cup of coffee at another vehicle being driven by a lady with her three young children in the rear, was warned by a Judge that he could face a charge of endangerment for such an action.
Judge John King told Galway District Court on Monday that he was considering sending the case against Cian Smith, 91, Coill Clocha, Oranmore to be heard in the higher Circuit Court when he heard the evidence against the defendant.
The Court heard that on November 7, 2023 at Roscam, Oranmore, the defendant was in a vehicle which drove up behind the victim’s car. He hung out a car window and threw the cup at the other vehicle.
Judge King inquired if it was a case of hitting the lady’s windscreen and putting her and her children in danger. Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast informed him that, no, the object struck the rear of the victim’s car. He added that there was history between the two families.
Judge King asked if the defendant would have been aware there were three children in the rear of the car and Sgt Prendergast replied that he would have thought so, as the car he was travelling in came from behind the victim’s vehicle.
The Judge said he viewed what happened as a very dangerous action but he decided he would accept jurisdiction.
He asked if compensation had been offered, but Jack Donoghue solr (defending ) said they had just been informed that compensation was estimated at €100 during the hearing so his client had no opportunity to offer it as yet. He pleaded his client had no previous convictions and was working.
Judge King ordered a Probation report and adjourned the case until May 5 for compensation to be paid and for whatever penalty decided on to be imposed.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
