Limerick boy racer who mounted footpath in go-kart banned from driving for 15 years

Previously dubbed "a menace to society", 31-year-old Limerick man Kerins has an incredible 142 convictions to his name, including 94 for road traffic offences.

But Kerins' latest road offences are, even by his own ridiculously poor standards, somewhat remarkable.

He was arrested by gardaí after he was spotted mounting footpaths and driving against the flow of traffic in a 50cc engine go-kart.

And judging by Kerins' social media accounts, such behaviour is far from a one-off.

In one picture on his Facebook page, self-captioned by Kerins with the words "locally hated", he can be seen pulling "wheelies" on the streets of Limerick on a scrambler.

In another, he sits on top of a quad bike, while in separate images he can be seen showing off a collection of karts.

And it was his go-karting activities that drew the ire of Garda Inspector Pat Brennan at Kilmallock court as he told how gardaí had observed the defendant on a go-kart on the Moyross link road at 1.40pm on May 30, 2020.

"He drove on both sides and against the flow of traffic. He was driving very erratically. He mounted a footpath in an attempt to get away," said Insp Brennan.

The court heard Kerins turned into Cliona Park, Moyross, and was trying to hide the go-kart when he was apprehended by gardai.

The go-kart was seized.

Insp Brennan said Mr Kerins has 142 previous convictions, including 94 for road traffic.

Other offences include three dangerous driving counts, unauthorised taking of an MPV, attempted robbery and possession of drugs.

Reginald Garrett BL, who represented Kerins, said his client's previous convictions don't make for great reading.

He said the go-kart had a small engine.

"It was only 50cc. It wasn't a race car. He is pleading.

"He is someone with a troubled history," said Mr Garrett.

Judge Patricia Harney said Mr Kerins has 142 previous convictions with 94 for road traffic offences.

Mr Garrett said there were "no excuses".

"He made a stupid decision. He got the vehicle and took it for a bit of a spin," said Mr Garrett.

Judge Harney said the evidence given was that it wasn't a "Sunday drive".

Mr Garrett said his client "panicked" when he saw the garda vehicle.

"He kept going and tried to hide the vehicle," said Mr Garrett.

Judge Harney said this was Mr Kerins' fourth conviction for dangerous driving.

"He has an unenviable record," said Judge Harney, who imposed a three month prison sentence and disqualified Kerins from driving for 15 years.

Kerins was previously described as a 'menace to society' when in November 2017 he was jailed for two-and-a-half years after reversing at speed in a stolen car at a garda patrol vehicle during a high-speed chase.

On that occasion, he pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful use of a vehicle, criminal damage to an unmarked patrol car and two counts of dangerous driving in Clondalkin on October 9, 2016.

Kerins was disqualified from driving at the time and was visiting friends when the offence occured.

The court heard gardai began pursuing the stolen Honda Civic he was driving after spotting one of the front headlights was not working.

He failed to stop and took off at speeds in excess of 160 kilometres per hour, driving through red lights at two junctions before turning into a cul de sac.

He was followed by two patrol cars and on reaching the end of the road, revved his engine and reversed at speed at one of the cars.

His vehicle went up on the bonnet of the patrol cars before stopping.

Defence counsel, Carol Doherty, said he began using drugs at 14 years of age after a difficult childhood and used cars as a way to escape reality.

Ms Doherty said Kerins understood if he did not change his ways he would be continuing the cycle of offending and prison.

Judge Martin Nolan noted Kerins had a difficult background and had little opportunity in life to progress himself, but said he was a "menace to society" who had endangered the public.

He imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, suspending the final year on strict conditions.