Overtaking driver 'almost had a head on collision,' Kildare court told
The defendant said the witness kept flashing at him - and he thought it was the gardaí behind him
A man who overtook twice while driving near Blessington was convicted on two counts of dangerous driving, at Naas District Court.
Mihai Rostas, 36, whose address was given as 7 Lakeshore Holiday Village, Blessington, was prosecuted for dangerous driving at The Lamb (N81), Blessington and at Monaspick (N81), Blessington, on May 16, 2022.
Dave Butler told the court he was driving near the golf club at Brittas at 7.30pm in a line of five cars when a car overtook.
He said he “braked hard” to let this car in front of him because there was an oncoming vehicle and he feared a head-on collision would occur if he did not do so.
He further claimed the defendant later overtook two cars on a continuous white line.
The fitness said he followed the car to the Blessington Industrial estate where he got the registration number.
He also said he had dashcam footage of the incident which was played to the court.
Cross examined by barrister Sean Egan, Mr Butler said he did not remonstrate with the defendant and said it was an incident of very dangerous driving, which he reported to the gardaí.
He added it was the closest he had come to a head on collision in many years.
Gardea Teresa Hegarty said that in a statement the defendant said the witness kept flashIng at him. He said this continued and at one stage he thought it was the gardaí behind him.
He said the witness kept following him and he felt under pressure to move.
He said at one point the witness got out of his car in an aggressive manner.
Mr Egan said the witness “had been allowed” to cherry pick the footage of the incident, which he said went on longer than the time played in court. And he "only chose to make available a short section of video.”
He said Mr Butler appeared to take the incident personally
The defendant told the court he was driving at 80-85 km/h and “when I overtook he kept flashing me.”
He said Mr Butler continued to follow him and he got out of his car and invited him (defendant) to fight.
“I felt terrified," he said.
He also said he did not think Mr Butler braked hard to allow him in when he overtook on the first occasion.
Judge Desmond Zaidan described the defendant’s driving as "total madness" and said it is the kind of driving that costs lives and serious injuries on Irish roads.
He imposed two consecutive custody terms of five months as well as two concurrent four year driving disqualifications.