Kilkenny driver evaded garda pursuit - to find them waiting at his home

A young motorist who evaded a garda pursuit was eventually apprehended when he arrived home and they were waiting for him.

Thomas James Dillon, New England, Tullaroan, was convicted of drink driving and dangerous driving at Kilkenny District Court.
He pleaded guilty to the charges.

The court heard that on January 28, 2024, gardaí attempted to stop a vehicle on College Road, Kilkenny.

The vehicle, driven by Mr Dillon, failed to stop. In the pursuit that followed, gardaí witnessed Mr Dillon’s “high speed, reckless driving.”

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He was charged with dangerous driving for an incident in which he didn’t drive around a roundabout, but drove straight through it.

Mr Dillon was eventually apprehended, close to home, when his way was blocked by gardaí.
He was arrested and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station where a urine test showed he was over the alcohol limit.
He had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Ed Hughes said his client was 19 at the time and fully accepts he was drinking in the Village Inn before driving home.
Gardaí spotted the car leaving the pub.

Mr Dillon knew when he saw the light go on on the garda car that he was in trouble. Due to his immaturity he didn’t stop, Mr Hughes said.

His client did drive recklessly through town and admitted driving through a roundabout.

Mr Dillon did evade gardaí at the time but they identified his address and were waiting there for him when he arrived home, Mr Hughes told the court.

His client is deeply remorseful, the solicitor said. If he had just stopped when gardaí indicated it wouldn’t have been as serious.

Now 21, Mr Dillon is doing a carpentry course and hopes to go to Australia when he graduates. He needs his licence for work but will now put alternative arrangements in place.

Mr Hughes urged the court not to impose a custodial sentence, saying the young man had learned his lesson.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted Mr Dillon of drink driving and imposed a fine of €500, as well as a driving disqualification of three years.
On the dangerous driving convictions he was fined an additional €600 and disqualified for two years.