Two year road ban for dangerous driver
By Martina Nee
A car carrying a young child was forced to emergency brake when another motorist dangerously undertook on the inside, pull out in front, and then slammed on the brakes, the Galway District Court heard last week.
Nicholas Batchelor (45) with an address at Swallow House, Grannagh, Ardrahan, appeared before Galway District Court charged with dangerous driving at Coolagh, Oranmore, on March 11, 2012.
Inspector Ernie Whyte told the court that at 3.30pm a car had been pulling out of a minor road onto a major road on the N18. The defendant then drove his car behind this vehicle and then proceeded to flash his lights and blow the horn. The court heard how Batchelor’s driving became even more dangerous when he “undertook” the other car on the inside and pulled out in front before slamming on his brakes. This forced the other vehicle, which had been carrying a three-year-old child, to emergency brake. The inspector said that Batchelor has one previous conviction for speeding in 2009.
Defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that his client completely accepts that his behaviour had been totally irrational. He added that Batchelor had been in a rush on the day.
Judge Mary Fahy then imposed a mandatory disqualification from driving for two years and fined Batchelor €500 with four months to pay
