Laois Man Who Crashed Into Miniature St Patrick's Day Steam Engine Loses Right To Drive

Raymond Barrett (60) of Luggacurran has learned his debilitating medical condition will keep him off the road.

A Laois man who crashed his car into a miniature steam engine during a St Patrick’s Day parade last year has been told by a judge that he cannot ever drive again because of his debilitating medical condition.

Raymond Barrett (60) of Luggacurran, of Laois was convicted of two counts of dangerous driving and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour on Main Street, Stradbally, in Laois on March 17, 2024.

A local woman, Nicola Glynn, and her then 12-year-old nephew, Harry, were flung from the steam engine after it was rear-ended by the defendant’s 08-registered Hyundai Accent.

Barrett was brought to Portlaoise District Court on Tuesday by gardaí after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear for his sentencing hearing.

Counsel for Barrett, Brian Mallon BL, said the accused had difficulty in getting to court as he was living alone in an extremely isolated rural area.

Mr Mallon said he was also living “in extreme squalor” and suffered from extreme mobility issues.

Gardaí had to borrow a wheelchair from a hospital in order to bring the accused to court.

The court heard that Barrett wished to convey his deepest apology and regret, particularly to the injured parties.

Mr Mallon said the defendant also wanted to apologise to gardaí for his behaviour on the day.

Judge Andrew Cody heard the defendant had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis six years ago which he observed was a significant factor in relation to Barrett’s ability to continue to drive.

A shopkeeper from Stradbally, Sylvester Phelan, gave evidence on behalf of the accused that the case was “so bad” that it represented special and extreme circumstances.

“If Raymond Barrett was an animal, he would have been rescued a year ago,” said Mr Phelan.

He claimed the accused had to be in Stradbally on the day as he was looking for food because he was hungry.

Judge Cody declined to look at photographic evidence which Mr Phelan offered to show him about Barrett’s living conditions.

The witness said he believed that Barrett had been left down by the health services as well as “religious and psychological services.”

“He did not intend to have an accident. It just happened. It was an unfortunate situation,” said Mr Phelan.

The shopkeeper claimed that Barrett was in “very bad circumstances.”

However, Judge Cody replied that a 12-year-old boy would need a skin graft on his leg because of the accused’s offending behaviour.

“That’s no joke for anybody, particularly a young boy,” he added.

At a previous sitting of the court, evidence was heard that Barrett had told Garda Brian Kelly, who had arrived at the scene of the collision, to “f**k off” as well as calling him “two ends of a prick.”

In a statement to gardaí, Barrett said he had got caught up in the St Patrick’s Day parade after driving into Stradbally to get groceries.

He claimed that the accident was caused after his Jack Russell dog, who was tied to a seatbelt on the front passenger seat, had “pulled out of his collar and jumped between my feet.”

He also verbally abused a man who attempted to remove the keys from the ignition of his car following the collision.

Ms Glynn gave evidence earlier this month that she suffered severe back pain and anxiety as a result of the collision, while her nephew had suffered severe road burns to his foot.

Video footage of the crash, which was shared widely on social media, was also shown in court.

At the sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Judge Cody observed that Barrett had demonstrated a very poor attitude at the scene of the crash.

“He showed little or no care for the injured and was more concerned about keeping the keys of his car,” the judge remarked.

He also said he did not accept Barrett’s explanation that his dog had caused the collision which was quite clearly due to the defendant continuing to drive despite his frailty.

The judge accepted that the accused had a terrible condition that had a huge impact on his mobility and ability to control a vehicle.

“Regretfully his mobility is so compromised that he cannot drive safely,” he added.

Judge Cody said it was clear from the video that no brakes had been used as the driver had simply been unable to brake which had resulted in the collision with the steam engine.

He noted that Barrett had belatedly surrendered his driving licence last September.

However, the judge said he was concerned that the accused had subsequently been stopped by gardaí while driving which he said would be a matter “for another day.”

He urged Barrett to avail of State supports as well as voluntary and charity services to enable him to live independently with dignity.

The judge said the accused, who had two previous convictions for drink-driving, could not continue to drive without endangering himself, his neighbours and the community of Stradbally.

“I wish him well but that simply has to stop,” Judge Cody remarked.

He fined Barrett a total of €200 and disqualified him from driving for four years.

The judge took other charges of having no motor tax and failing to produce a driving licence into account.