A 26-year-old man has narrowly escaped a prison sentence for dangerous driving following a high speed chase on rural roads.
Ian Nevin of 6 Eiscir St, Eiscir Meadows in Tullamore reached speeds of up to 170km/hour on roads between Clara and Tullamore in Co Offaly on 28 July this year, Tullamore District Court has heard.
Based on evidence from the prosecuting garda that Nevin told him at the time of the incident he thought he was being chased by someone else following an altercation in Clara, Judge Gerard Haughton offered 120 hours community service in lieu of a five-month prison sentence.
Nevin had driven through two junctions without stopping and overtaken other cars at speeds of up to 170km/hour.
Despite being followed in an unmarked garda car with lights and sirens activated, he drove at 100km/hour in a 50km/hour zone before eventually stopping.
Judge Haughton noted that the incident occurred not long after he had his licence restored following a drink-driving conviction.
He disqualified him for five years.
