A LOCAL man has been given a suspended sentence for driving at his brother outside a Roslea shop.
Gerard Sweeney (61) of Corinshigo, Smithboro, Co Monaghan pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving on Monday.
The court was told an incident occurred at Swift’s Centra in Roslea at around 6pm on April 25, 2015, involving Sweeney and his brother. The court was told the brothers happened to meet each other at the shop, and Sweeney shouted profanities at his brother. He then got into a pick-up truck, which belonged to a relative, and drove towards his brother who told police he moved to the side for fear of being hit by the vehicle.
Sweeney then left the scene but returned a short time later, revving his engine. Again, the brother said he was afraid he would be hit by the truck and jumped out of the way. Sweeney then took off in the vehicle with its driver door still open, causing €1,700 damage.
District Judge said the case against Sweeney was a serious one, stating he’d used the vehicle as a weapon, having revved his engine and driven at his brother. Defence solicitor Niall Bogue said Sweeney did not accept he had been using the truck as a weapon.
Mr Bogue explained there was a dispute between the two men, and said Sweeney’s brother had “produced a plank of wood” that evening, and said the defendant had got in his car to get away from him.
Judge Broderick said that was “no excuse for driving at someone.” He also asked why Sweeney, a commercial truck dealer, had gone back who had threatened him with a plank of wood. Mr Bogue said Sweeney had only returned to the scene as he had dropped his mobile phone during the initial altercation.
Mr Bogue said the inevitable loss of his licence would cause Sweeney great difficulty as he was the main carer for his 92-year-old father.
Judge Broderick told Sweeney “someone of your age and clear record should know better” and added thankfully Sweeney had not made contact with his brother with the car, or else he could’ve been facing a lengthy spell in prison.
Sweeney was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months, until retested.
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