Derry Court: Man remanded on driving charges and harassing his former partner

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a man who was told by police that there was a threat against him 'panicked' and drove off despite being a disqualified driver.

Eoin Dorney (26) of Swilly Gardens in Derry appeared charged with a series of driving offences and also charges of harassing his former partner by driving after her.

Dorney faced driving charges including having no insurance or licence on December 3 2022.

He was also charged with possessing a quantity of cocaine on the same date.

Dorney was further charged with driving offences that were said to have occurred on January 5.

The defendant was also charged with harassing his former partner on January 8 and an abuse of the electronic communications system on the same date as well as driving offences.

Charges relating to driving offences on January 21 were also put to the defendant as well as one charge of obstructing police.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

The court heard that police observed Dorney driving on numerous occasions.

After he was stopped on December 3 his vehicle was searched and a small quantity of cocaine was alleged to have been found.

On January 6 after being spotted driving by police Dorney was said to have made off and drove dangerously damaging other vehicles and endangering a pedestrian.

The court heard that on January 8 Dorney's former partner said as she approached traffic lights on the Strand Road at 9.40pm she saw a car driven by the defendant approach at speed.

She said Dorney 'pointed and shouted at her' and then followed her at speed overtaking another vehicle dangerously.

The woman claimed Dorney eventually stopped in front of her and got out and shouted 'wait to see what I do now.'

Later that same day she said she received an abusive email from Dorney.

On January 21 police stopped a van driven by Dorney in the Eglinton area and he was alleged to have given police a different name.

Bail was opposed due to the fact that Dorney had been in three different vehicles despite being disqualified.

The officer said Dorney was 'a danger to the public' and added that police believed his address was not suitable as there was a threat against him.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client was 'willing to take his chances' as regards whoever was threatening him but added he had panicked when first told of the threat.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that due to finances we had a shortage of police officers and those that were there had 'more to do' than deal with the likes of Dorney.

He said the defendant had gone out and drove 'over and over again' and he had no confidence he would stop driving.

The judge also said that Dorney was also accused of chasing his former partner and described him as 'a disgrace to the community'.

Bail was refused and Dorney was remanded in custody to appear again on February 9.