*Gardaí detected the Tipperary teenager going at speed at the Killaloe/Ballina bridge.
A judge commented ‘Mother of God tonight’ in court after an 18 year old school boy accused of dangerous driving told him that he was due to start his Leaving Certificate exams.
Twenty four hours ahead of sitting his first paper in his Leaving Cert exams on Wednesday morning, teenager, Renat Rotari appeared at Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis on Tuesday concerning the dangerous driving accusation.
In the case, Mr Rotari of The Haven, Millersbrook, Co Tipperary is accused of dangerous driving on the R494 Cullina, Ballina, Co Tipperary on May 21st 2025 contrary to Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act.
Those convicted of dangerous driving face an automatic two year driving ban.
After hearing an outline of the facts against Mr Rotari, Judge Gabbett said that Mr Rotari “is a good candidate for the Garda Life-Saver Programme”.
Judge Gabbett asked Mr Rotari “what do you do? What are you working as?”
In reply, Mr Rotari – who turns 19 in December – said, “I’m in school”.
In response, Judge Gabbett said, “You’re in school?”
Mr Rotari said, “I’m sitting the Leaving Cert tomorrow”.
In reply, Judge Gabbett commented “Mother of God tonight”.
Judge Gabbett said, “The best of luck tomorrow in your exams”.
Mr Rotari said, “Thank you” and Judge Gabbett told Mr Rotari ‘Slow down’.
Judge Gabbett said that he would adjourn the case to July 1st to Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis for Mr Rotari to either enter a plea of guilty or confirm that he is to contest the case against him.
Mr Rotari said that he is working part time.
Earlier, Sgt Frank O’Grady gave a brief outline of the State facts against Mr Rotari.
He said that on May 21st, Garda observed an Audi A4 driving at speed over the Killaloe/Ballina bridge.
He said that there was one vehicle between the suspect vehicle and the Gardaí. He said that all vehicles went in the direction of Ballina and when the middle vehicle turned into an estate, the Audi A4 took off at speed which Gardaí believed to be an attempt to evade.
