Letterkenny teenager banned from driving

A Letterkenny teenager who sped away from gardai has been banned from driving for two years.

Michael Quigley was also fined €150 over the incident on October 26, 2023.

Quigley, a 19-year-old of Windmill View, Letterkenny, previously undertook to complete the Pro-Social Driving Course, but Letterkenny District Court was informed that he had not done so.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that officers were on mobile patrol on the day in question. At 11.15am, they observed a vehicle exiting a housing estate at The Grange, Glencar. 

The car accelerated, spinning the wheels before taking off. Gardai followed as Quigley straddled the white line and travelled at what was described as “high speed”.

There were pedestrians in the area at the time, Sergeant Collins said.

Quigley was arrested and admitted to having no driving licence or insurance. Sergeant Collins said Quigley was fully cooperative when apprehended.

The court was told that Quigley has no previous convictions.

Solicitor for Quigley, Mr Rory O’Brien, said his client had no insurance due to “financial reasoning”.

He said Quigley has been cooperative at all times and dealt with the matter at an early stage.

“He is a very, very young man,” Mr O’Brien said. “He is contrite and apologetic and he has accepted that there will be consequences.”

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said Quigley endangered himself and the public. 

For dangerous driving, Quigley was convicted and fined €150 and disqualified from driving for two years.

On a charge of having no insurance, Quigley was also put off the road for two years and fined €150. The driving bans are to run concurrently. 

A charge of driving without a licence was marked as taken into consideration by Judge Cunningham.