A motorist who punched a van driver for abruptly changing lanes was fined a total of €1,100 yesterday for assault, abusive behaviour, careless driving and failing to produce driving documents.
Bricklayer Mark Dwyer (31), Balrothery Estate, Tallaght, Dublin, claimed in Dublin District Court that he hit van driver David Harrington because he believed he was about to be attacked.
The court heard the two drivers were approaching Terenure village on March 6th, 2003, when Mr Harrington changed lanes abruptly. They stopped at traffic lights and Dwyer admitted punching Mr Harrington "before he got a chance to do it to me." Mr Harrington retreated to his car and drove off. He was on his mobile phone when Mr Dwyer pulled in front of him.
He got back out of his car and went up to Mr Harrington, demanding to know who he was phoning. "He then threatened to slit my throat," Mr Harrington said. Dwyer denied getting out of his car a second time. He said he had been annoyed at being "cut off" as he was in a brand new car which was his "pride and joy".