‘Unforgiveable’, driver doing 177kph with two unrestrained kids in car in Laois

A Judge branded as “unforgiveable” the actions of a man who drove at 177kph with two unrestrained children in his car.

Laii Mutean (29) of Russell Lawns, Tallaght, Dublin 24, appeared in court via video link where he was accused of dangerous driving and having no licence or insurance on the M7 at Ballydavis, Portlaoise on August 14, 2024. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had been driving a silver coloured 151C registered VW Passat on the date in question and was detected doing 177kph in a 120 zone. 

He said the man told gardai a child had been sick and had fainted. Sgt Kirby said the man’s two daughters, aged five and six, were unrestrained in the car and the six year old was lying across an adult’s lap in the back of the car.  He said the man had a long list of previous convictions which were mainly for road traffic offences. 

Judge Catherine Ryan noted that the man, who is serving a sentence, had 92 previous convictions.  

Andrew Dunne BL said “there is very little I can say about this gentleman.” He asked the court to take the guilty plea into consideration and asked the court to do its best for him. 

Judge Ryan noted the man had been disqualified from driving for ten years a year previously. 

Sgt Kirby said the man is serving a prison sentence and had a release date of November 18. 

Judge Ryan said the offending was “at the top end” and the man had shown “no regard whatsoever” to road traffic laws. 

Sgt Kirby agreed and said “the child in the front seat really compounded it” in terms of aggravating circumstances. 

Judge Ryan said there was “a litany of things that he has done in total disregard of the law.” She said he had put himself, his children and other road users in danger through his actions. 

“This is at the very high end of dangerous driving,” said Judge Ryan. 

She sentenced the man to four months in prison consecutive to the sentence he is serving, fined him a total of €6,500 and disqualified him from driving for four years. 

Judge Ryan said the court was left with no choice given “the long list of previous and really no regard for the laws of the land in terms of road traffic”.

“You need to be off the road,” she told the defendant during the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

“I apologise for all this, it is just I was going through some bad times,” the defendant said. 

Judge Ryan said it was “unforgiveable” and told the man “you will take your punishment and learn” before she fixed recognisance in case of appeal.