Ireland South Armagh man sentenced for dangerous driving on M1 in Louth
Rico Kelly, a 37-year-old man from Crossmaglen, south Armagh, was driving a black Audi A6 on the M1 northbound at more than 180 km/h after failing to stop for a Garda on the N53 near Barronstown, Hackballscross, on 24 September 2020. He continued at a dangerous speed past Thistle Cross, undertaking other vehicles before crossing the border. He was charged with dangerous driving at Junction 17, Harrison's Lane, and Newtownbalregan, and issued a fixed charge for failing to stop for a Garda. At Dundalk District Court, Judge Eirinn McKiernan convicted him and sentenced him to four months in prison suspended for 12 months, along with a four-year driving ban.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 Oct
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Rico Kelly, a 37-year-old man from Crossmaglen, south Armagh, was driving a black Audi A6 on the M1 northbound at more than 180 km/h after failing to stop for a Garda.
- The car continued at a dangerous speed past Thistle Cross, undertaking other vehicles before crossing the border.
- Kelly claimed he was getting a lift to work a night shift pulling cables for a fire alarm in the Port Tunnel.
- Kelly does not hold a driving licence, is disqualified from driving, and has five previous convictions including dangerous driving.
- Where
- A Garda was travelling on the N53 towards Castleblayney when he first saw the car at Barronstown, Hackballscross.
- When
- The incident occurred on 24 September 2020.
- Charges
- Kelly was charged with dangerous driving at Junction 17 northbound, Harrison's Lane, and Newtownbalregan, and issued a fixed charge for failing to stop for a Garda.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dundalk District Court before Judge Eirinn McKiernan.
- Sentence
- Kelly was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for 12 months and given a four-year driving ban.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatRico Kelly is a 37-year-old man from Crossmaglen, south Armagh (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatRico Kelly was driving a black Audi A6 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe driver failed to stop and took off at high speed (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe car turned onto the M1 northbound at more than 180 kilometres per hour (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe car continued at a dangerous speed past Thistle Cross and undertook other vehicles before crossing the border (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatKelly claimed he was getting a lift to work a night shift pulling cables for a fire alarm in the Port Tunnel (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatRico Kelly does not hold a driving licence (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatRico Kelly has five previous convictions including dangerous driving (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatRico Kelly is disqualified from driving (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereRico Kelly lives at Lismore Park, Crossmaglen (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereA Garda was travelling on the N53 towards Castleblayney when he first saw the car at Barronstown, Hackballscross (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe dangerous driving incident occurred on 24 September 2020 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeRico Kelly was charged with dangerous driving at Junction 17 northbound, Harrison's Lane, and Newtownbalregan (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeA fixed charge penalty notice was issued for failing to stop for a Garda (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dundalk District Court (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtJudge Eirinn McKiernan convicted Rico Kelly (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceRico Kelly was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for 12 months (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceRico Kelly was given a four-year driving ban (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Oct2021Dundalk court: Accused of making a break for the border
Reports the conviction and sentencing of Rico Kelly for dangerous driving on the M1 in Louth, including his defence that he was getting a lift to work in the Port Tunnel and his work colleague's alibi evidence.
convicted, Rico Kelly, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Rico Kelly