Judge wishes Leaving Cert student accused of dangerous driving 'best of luck' in his exams

Gordon Deegan

A judge commented "mother of God tonight" in court after an 18-year-old school student accused of dangerous driving told him that he was due to start his Leaving Certificate exams today.

Twenty-four hours ahead of sitting his first paper in his Leaving Cert exams on Wednesday morning, teenager Renat Rotari appeared at Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis on Tuesday concerning the dangerous driving accusation.

Mr Rotari, of The Haven, Millersbrook, Co Tipperary, is accused of dangerous driving on the R494 Cullina, Ballina, Co Tipperary, on May 21st, 2025, contrary to Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act.

Those convicted of dangerous driving face an automatic two-year driving ban.

After hearing an outline of the facts against Mr Rotari, Judge Gabbett said Mr Rotari was “a good candidate for the Garda Life-Saver Programme”.

The judge asked the teenager: “What do you do? What are you working as?”

In reply, Mr Rotari – who turns 19 in December – said: “I’m in school.”

Judge Gabbett said: “You’re in school?”

Mr Rotari said: “I’m sitting the Leaving Cert tomorrow.”

In reply, Judge Gabbett said: “Mother of God tonight.”

The judge then wished the teenager the "best of luck" in his exams.

Mr Rotari thanked him, and Judge Gabbett told Mr Rotari to "slow down".

The judge said he would adjourn the case to July 1st to Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis for Mr Rotari to either enter a plea of guilty or confirm that he is to contest the case against him.

Mr Rotari said he was working part-time.

Earlier, Sgt Frank O’Grady gave a brief outline of the State facts against Mr Rotari.

He said that on May 21st, gardaí observed an Audi A4 driving at speed over the Killaloe/Ballina bridge.

He said there was one vehicle between the suspect vehicle and gardaí. He said all vehicles went in the direction of Ballina and when the middle vehicle turned into an estate, the Audi A4 took off at speed which gardaí believed to be an attempt to evade.