An Offaly man pleaded guilty yesterday to a number of motoring offences arising out of a high-speed chase with gardaí in Limerick last month.
Peter Fleming, (22), appeared before Limerick District Court, charged with four counts of dangerous driving, drink-driving, hit-and-run, stealing a car, driving without insurance and, driving without a driver’s licence.
Det Garda Paul Crowley, Henry Street, Limerick, gave evidence of arresting him on the city’s Merchant’s Quay, at 10.30am. He said he “made no reply to all charges”.
Mr Fleming – the son of Fianna Fáil Laois TD Sean Fleming – had stolen a car on January 23rd, 2013 in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Three days later, while driving it, he was involved in a high-speed chase with gardaí in Limerick.
Mr Fleming has 24 previous convictions including indecency, animal cruelty, assault, criminal damage to a Garda car, theft and burglary, and failing to give gardaí his name and address.
The court heard he was facing 18 months in jail through the activation of two consecutive suspended sentences for theft and criminal damage, suspended by Portlaoise District Court, on June 7th, 2012, for 12 months.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly remanded him in continuing custody for activation of the suspended sentences. He will reappear in court in Limerick, at a later date, for sentencing in realtion to the motoring offences.