Biker hit 180km/h as he weaved in and out of traffic on M18

A MOTORCYCLIST who weaved in and out of traffic on a busy motorway and was pursued by a garda car at 180km/h has been told he could have killed himself. 

At Ennis district court, Judge Mary Larkin imposed a two-year driving ban on Brian Gibson (33).

Gibson, a pipe fitter with an address at Oakleigh Wood, Dooradoyle, Limerick, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving at the M18, Carrigoran near Newmarket-on-Fergus on April 9, 2022.
Gibson admitted speeding but denied that his driving was dangerous. 

After convicting Gibson of the offence, Judge Larkin said, “In my own view, I can’t even imagine driving a heavy car at 180km/h. I would say to Mr Gibson, if you hit a wall or clipped a car or anything at that speed, you would be dead.” 

Judge Larkin told Gibson that he can’t travel at 180km/h on any road. 

“The laws of physics apply,” the judge added. 

In evidence, Garda Sarah Durack of Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick, said Gibson’s black Kawasaki first came to her attention on the R455 on the outskirts of Limerick. 

Garda Durack was driving an unmarked garda car and said Gibson’s motorbike hit a speed of 130km/h in a 100km/h zone as it travelled along the N18 in Clare. 

Garda Durack said the motorbike “weaved in and out” of a line of traffic and she activated the blue light and siren. 

Garda Durack told the court her car hit speeds in excess of 180km/h in order to keep up with the motorbike which Gibson brought to a stop near Carrigoran. 

The court heard a road safety operation was in place at the time. 

Garda Durack described Gibson’s driving as “absolutely reckless” and “dangerous”. 

Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey put it to the garda that her client was completely in control of the vehicle at all times. 

Garda Durack said, “He was travelling at such high speed, I don’t know how he could have complete control of the vehicle.”

In evidence, Gibson accepted he was speeding on the day and that he overtook a number of cars on the M18. 

“I was not weaving in and out of cars at any point on that road,” he said. 

Sergeant Aiden Lonergan told the court the accused has 14 previous convictions including for public order and road traffic offences. 

Judge Larkin said, “Driving at a speed of 180km/h on a fine day or any day is dangerous driving and I convict.”

Judge Larkin imposed a fine and disqualified Gibson from holding a driver’s license for two years. 

Following an application from Ms Godfrey, Judge Larkin deferred the disqualification until February, 2023. The court heard Gibson is in the process of emigrating.