A man accused of driving offences in Portadown two days before Christmas had been “here on holidays from Lithuania”, Craigavon Magistrates’ Court was told.
Audris Gibronas (36), from Panevezys, is charged with causing grievous bodily injury by careless driving in the Northway area on December 23 last year.
He is also charged with aggravated vehicle taking; ‘while disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence, drove a motor vehicle on a road’; and using a vehicle without insurance.
He appeared at court on Friday via video link from prison where he has been on remand.
A defence lawyer said the defendant was frustrated at the pace of the case.
The lawyer said the defendant had been in custody since December and added: “This is a man who only came to Northern Ireland for the Christmas holidays to visit family. Not only is he very keen to get out of Maghaberry Prison, he is very keen to leave the UK and never come back.”
The lawyer said the defendant “suffered serious injuries himself as a result of this accident. He doesn’t believe his injuries are being property treated in Maghaberry. That is another reason he is very keen to have this matter dealt with, to get out and get medical treatment outside of Maghaberry Prison”.
The case was adjourned to March 13.
