Mullingar District Court: Drove off at speed when he saw gardaí

A man who drove off when he saw gardaí undertaking a search of a premises he was visiting will be assessed by a probation officer to see if he is a suitable candidate for community service.

David Hallinan (35) of Killynon, Bracklyn, Mullingar was initially charged with possession of cocaine and four motoring offences. The charges were that on February 19, 2025 at Castledown, the Downs, Mullingar, he drove a vehicle without a driver’s licence or insurance and subsequently failed to present them. The failing to produce charges were withdrawn.

Sgt Orla Keenan said at 3.15pm officers were executing a search of a property at Castledown under the misuse of drugs act. A VW Golf drove into the yard and when the male driver saw the gardaí, it drove away at speed.

Officers followed and the vehicle stopped at The Cloughan Inn, Mullingar. The driver, Mr Hallinan, was detained and taken to Mullingar Garda Station.

A search of the defendant uncovered €50 of cocaine, which Mr Hallinan said he had not realised was in his pocket. He had no driving licence or insurance. He had a previous conviction for driving under the influence of an intoxicant from 2022 and a three-year disqualification was in place.

Solicitor Louis Kiernan said his client had “no idea” a garda search was taking place and was “taken by surprise” and “left immediately”. He knew he should not have been driving and accepted the seriousness of the situation. He is self employed and law abiding citizen. Mr Kiernan asked the judge to consider an assessment by probation services to “prove his bona fides”.

Judge Owens said she would direct a probation assessment and recommended a pro social driving course. The judge said if the assessment was positive, she would consider 100 hours of community service in lieu of four months in prison. The defendant was remanded on bail to November 6, 2025.