Bit of ‘craic’ ends in fines and ban for young drivers

They were 19 year old Sean Lavery, McGreavey Drive, Lurgan, and 20 year old Jake Doran, McGreavey Park, Lurgan.

Both admitted dangerous driving on April 6 this year and both were fined £200, with a £15 offender’s levy, and disqualified from driving for 14 months.

The court heard that at 1.50am Lavery was driving his car in Millennium Way into Union Street followed by Doran. There were one to two car lengths between them.

Police recorded them as travelling between 55mph and 60mph in Union Street which is a 30mph zone and there were members of the public at a fast food outlet.

Both stopped at the lights at the Union Street and Tandragee Road junction. Police heard high revs from the engines of the cars.

They set off and there were one or two car lengths between the cars. They appeared to be racing each other. They were stopped on the Tandragee Road.

When later interviewed by police Doran denied that he was racing but admitted to messing about because he knew the other driver.

Lavery admitted competitive driving as he knew the other driver.

Both were remorseful for their actions.

Mr Pat McMahon, representing Lavery, said the defendant accepted they were too close to each other but there was no allegation that anyone of them tried to overtake.

He added that it was a bit of showing off in front of another and as the defendant said ‘having a bit of craic’.

A solicitor for Doran said he admitted being too close to the other driver and was messing about because it was his mate.

She added that he accepted he was going too fast and too close to the other driver.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said it was in the early hours of the morning with two young men who had a lot more confidence that competence.