Mayo man who ‘works like hell and lives like hell’ jailed for 12 months
A man who ‘works like hell and lives like hell’ has been jailed for 12 months for several incidents of dangerous driving.
John Gilmartin, aged 36, of Charlestown Lodge, Sonnagh, Charlestown, pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to three charges of dangerous driving on November 29, 2020, three charges of dangerous driving on December 24, 2024, and driving without a licence or insurance on two other occasions.
Sergeant Fiona Farrell told the court that Garda O’Brien was on patrol on the N26 at Mount Falcon, Ballina, on November 29, 2020, when he was informed by Garda Harte of a BMW driving at excessive speed at Sraheen, Foxford.
Garda O’Brien observed the vehicle being driven by a man later identified as Gilmartin.
The vehicle continued travelling at excessive speed at three locations in Ballina - Rehins, Station Road and Teeling Street - despite efforts by Garda O'Brien to stop it. The garda abandoned the pursuit at the Killala Road due to the speed involved and the adverse weather conditions. Gilmartin later admitted to being the driver of the vehicle.
In relation to the incident on Christmas Eve, 2024, the court heard that Sergeant Sean McHale was operating a checkpoint in Ballina at 1.47 a.m. when Gilmartin's vehicle approached. The defendant failed a roadside breath test and became aggressive when Sergeant McHale spoke to him, saying he was not going anywhere.
Sergeant McHale reached into the vehicle to turn off the engine but Gilmartin drove off in an aggressive manner and Sergeant McHale was “brought along” by the car and "pushed into" his colleague Garda Brian McGuire. Sergeant McHale and Garda McGuire pursued Gilmartin who evaded them through various locations at speeds that were often in excess of double the speed limit.
He eventually came to a stop at Rathnaconeen, Ballina, and was arrested for drink driving.
A urine sample gave a reading of 141mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine. The legal limit is 67mg. Gilmartin was later convicted for drink driving in relation to this incident.
On August 2, 2025, at 5.44 a.m., Sergeant McHale observed Gilmartin driving a vehicle and was aware he had been disqualified at a court on July 11.
The defendant was charged with driving without a licence or insurance.
On September 17, 2025, Garda Tom Corcoran observed Gilmartin driving in Turlough, Castlebar, where he overtook another vehicle on a continuous white line.
He stopped the defendant and discovered he was disqualified from driving. Gilmartin was arrested and the vehicle was seized.
The court heard the defendant has seven previous convictions.
Solicitor Peter Flynn described his client as a person with a "disorganised life" and said he has had issues with alcohol and drugs.
“He works like hell and then he lives like hell,” said Mr. Flynn.
His client would be willing to cooperate with the probation service if given a chance.
However, Judge Ciaran Liddy imposed a 12-month prison sentence and a five-year driving disqualification.
* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.