Man jailed for 18 months for driving at 200km/h while intoxicated

A Dublin man who drove at more than 200km/h while intoxicated has received an 18 month prison sentence.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Garda air surveillance was deployed when it was deemed that it was no longer safe for patrol cars to continue pursuing Dylan Maughan (21).

Maughan was travelling southbound on the M50 on March 24th, 2020 and led gardaí­ on a 40 minute chase, which began at 2am.

The court heard that Maughan, of St Killian’s Park, Clondalkin, drove at more than 200km/h while turning on and off the car’s headlights. He was also observed driving at speed in the wrong direction on a dual carriageway and failing to stop at traffic lights and stop signs.

Gardaí deployed stingers devices to puncture the tyres and bring Maughan’s car to a halt. When officers approached the car, they found four others in it and Maughan in a highly intoxicated state. He pleaded guilty to one count of endangerment and two counts of dangerous driving.

Judge Melanie Greally said she was taking into consideration Maughan’s guilty plea and his young age at the time of the offence and his positive engagement with the probation services.

She sentenced him to three years but suspended the final 18 months and disqualified him from driving for six years.

Maughan was ordered keep the peace on his release and to be of good behaviour for 18 months. He will be under the supervision of the probation services and must also engage with addiction services. Judge Greally backdated the sentence for the time already served.