By John Cassidy
A West Belfast man was today (Thursday) jailed for 11 months for what a judge described as “drink and drug-fuelled highly dangerous driving”. David Gerrard Conboy was told he will spend a further 12 months on supervised licence following his release from custody. Conboy, 37, of Caffrey Road, previously pleaded guilty to a total of nine offences which included charges of aggravated vehicle taking causing damage, dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. He further admitted having no insurance, failing to remain and failing to report an accident and handling stolen goods. A charge of burglary was left on the books in the usual terms. Belfast Crown Court was told that police received a report of a burglary at Ladybrook Park in West Belfast at 11.38 pm on June 24, 2024. Keys were stolen to a black Renault Megane at the property and almost 20 minutes later police observed this car on Hannahstown Hill. It was the prosecution case that police followed the Megane for a short distance before it came to a stop. Prosecution lawyer Eoin Macdonald said the car appeared to stall and police approached it before the Megane made off at speed “forcing police to give chase”. “A second police car was able to join almost immediately and chase the vehicle from Tullymore Gardens to Glassmullin Gardens where the car was abandoned,” said Mr Macdonald. “The vehicle was travelling at 50 mph in a built-up residential area where the speed limit was 30 mph. At one point the Megane turned and was travelling towards police colliding with a pursuing police vehicle on a bend. “The stolen Megane had sustained significant damage to its front wheel and had also collided with a Volkswagen Transporter. The defendant was found a short while later hiding in a hedge. Police noticed the defendant was under the influence of either drink or drugs. He smelt of alcohol, his eyes were glazed and his speech was slurred.” Father-of-four Conboy was arrested and was interviewed 11 hours later but gave a no comment response to all police questions. The court heard Conboy has 116 previous convictions which included entries for 11 burglaries, six thefts, 12 for criminal damage, five for handling and going equipped for theft along with 58 road traffic offences. A pre-sentence report said the defendant had long-standing mental health issues and had addiction issues with alcohol and drugs. He told a probation officer that on the night of his offending he was “heavily under the influence of drugs”, describing it as an “emotionally heightened situation whereby he was concerned for the safety of his sister after she had been physically attacked”. He accepted that there was no excuse for his behaviour and expressed remorse for his actions. The probation officer assessed Conboy as a high likelihood of reoffending because of his pattern of criminality over the years, his history of substance misuse and unresolved trauma. Defence barrister Declan Quinn told the court that Conboy has now been referred to the Wave Trauma Centre in Belfast. Judge Sandra Crawford said the aggravating factors were Conboy’s criminal record and the fact that his offending happened at night in a built up area. Passing the 22-month sentence, Judge Crawford said: “Whilst short-lived, this was appalling drink and drug-fuelled offending involving more than one victim and putting police and members of the public at risk given this highly dangerous piece of driving within a built-up area at night.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter