Mullingar resident and well-known GAA referee, Kenny Gunning was returning home last Wednesday evening, 15 July, when he had a miraculous escape near the town from death or serious injury, after a speeding SUV overtook him on the incorrect side, narrowly missing his car as it shot past, before striking an N52 roundabout kerb and sped on.
The terrifying incident happened at the Tullaniskey roundabout, Mullingar and the speeding SUV, which was being chased by Gardaí, almost crashed into other motorists as the driver embarked on a shocking and reckless escapade. It was a major Garda response with several Garda cars giving chase at this stage.
“I think I put my hands over my head when I saw the car speeding up behind me. I was sure I was going to be struck, but it overtook me and another car that was directly behind me, on the inside and crashed into the roundabout. I’m amazed it didn’t overturn at that stage, but the driver managed to steady it and keep going,” Kenny recalled.
The first thing Kenny noticed as he drove towards Mullingar shortly after 9.30pm, on the Tyrrellspass – Mullingar road, was a number of unmarked Garda cars heading in the opposite direction at speed. There were other unmarked cars at the entrance to Lough Ennell at Tudenham and he then met other Garda cars heading in the Tyrrellspass direction.
ON WRONG SIDE
Following this, as he approached the Tullaniskey Roundabout, Kenny observed the speeding SUV in his rear view mirror and was sure he was about to be struck. He was shocked to see the vehicle zoom past him on the wrong side and believes he and another motorist miraculously escaped being struck and seriously injured.
“From what I could see, it was a BMW, or a similar make of SUV and how the driver managed to keep control after it struck the roundabout, I just don’t know,” remarked Kenny.
A well-known GAA referee, Kenny was returning from officiating at a match in Croghan when the drama enfolded and his life flashed before him. Fortunately, he wasn’t injured but it could easily have worked out differently, and he was shocked by what happened.
Another eyewitness, who saw the first car speeding in along the Newtown Road, past Newtown Lawns housing estate and towards Mullingar town, told us, “It was extremely fortunate nobody was killed or injured. If someone was crossing the road or if a child was running around, they would have been dead. The first car went flying by at an incredible speed, and the road here has just been resurfaced, so loose chippings were flying everywhere. The Garda cars were in pursuit, but they were travelling at reasonable speeds. It was a very dangerous situation and fortunately nobody was injured,” they said.
CONFIRMATION BY
GARDAI
Gardaí confirmed that a car pursuit incident did indeed take place last Wednesday evening in Mullingar and area. They told us that at approximately 8.55pm on Wednesday evening 15 July Gardaí were out on mobile patrol and a vehicle failed to stop for them. The vehicle took off at great speed and the Gardaí gave chase. Other Garda cars were called to assist in the attempts to apprehend the vehicle and the driver, Topic was told.
It is understood that the car was coming in along the Tyrrellspass road at great speed and struck a kerb close to the Tullaniskey roundabout. It is believed the vehicle was damaged and began losing oil rapidly, leaving a trail of oil all along the route it took. The car then arrived at the Newtown roundabout and swung sharp left towards Newtown and past the Newtown Lawns housing estate, still travelling at great speed, and being pursued by several Garda cars at this stage.
The car continued down through Ballinderry and down by The Beehives, turning right towards the Mullingar Greyhound Stadium.
It was at this stage the car ran into difficulties as it had lost so much oil, and stopped, and the driver had to abandon the car close to the Greyhound Stadium. The driver leaped out and ran towards the River Brosna, trying to hide in the undergrowth by the river. However, the Gardaí were quickly on the scene and apprehended him.
The man was arrested and then brought to Mullingar Garda Station where he was detained for questioning. He was charged with a number of dangerous driving offences and a file has been prepared for the DPP, we understand.
As far as eyewitnesses are concerned, the driver was fortunate not to have faced much more serious charges as a result of the high-speed driving.
