Man who took JCB and was pursued by gardaí to be sentenced in February
Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A MAN who stole a JCB from a yard in Tullow and was subsequently pursued by gardaí in a chase across counties Carlow and Kildare last week pleaded guilty to a range of offences, including endangerment and dangerous driving.
Martin Cunningham, Craan, Clonegal was before Judge Eugene Kelly last week when he was arraigned in connection with a series of offences that occurred on 5 May this year. The offences include the unauthorised use of a JCB without the consent of the owner from a premises on Thomas Traynor Road, Tullow; and two counts of endangering traffic, one being at Knocknacree, Castledermot when he placed tree branches on the road by using the mechanical arm of the JCB, and again at Grangeford, Grange, when he used the bucket of the JCB to put lumps of dirt on the road.
Mr Cunningham (43) pleaded guilty to three counts of dangerous driving, at Friarstown Crossroads and Farranaphlure, Tullow, and at Knocknacree Crossroads, Castledermot, all arising from the same incident.
No further details about the series of events that day were given in court.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly was told that the defendant had been in custody since the incident happened and adjourned sentencing Mr Cunningham until the next sittings of Carlow Circuit Court in February.
He also ordered several reports to be prepared, including a probation report, a governor’s report and victim impact statements, and for the defendant to undergo regular urine analysis while in custody.
