A court has heard that the father of a Derry City amateur boxer was taking his son to a meeting with his manager for the Commonwealth Games when he was caught driving at 102mph.
Owen Coyle (49) of Cashelhill Park appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates Court this morning charged with speeding.
The court heard that Coyle was caught committing the offence at Glenshane Road, Maghera on April 29.
Defence barrister Joe McCann said the dad-of-four has been driving for 30 years and ‘hasn’t got a penalty point to his name’.
“The first question I asked was why he was travelling at this speed and there is quite an interesting explanation. His son, Connor is an amateur middleweight boxer who successfully represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games.
“On the morning in question, the defendant’s son was due to attend a meeting with his manager. It seems that this division is very competitive and he was warned that if he didn’t attend the meeting, his place would be in jeopardy.
“This man accepts that his speed was totally unacceptable but there is a happy ending- they got to the meeting on time and Connor won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.
“He has the medal with him today in court, if you want to see it. It will be the only bronze medal that you will be offered today,” Mr McCann said to District Judge Alan White.
Declining the offer to view the medal, Judge White gave Coyle five penalty points and fined him £165.
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