Derry Judge warns R drivers that high speeds are not acceptable
District Judge Suzanne Rice voices stern displeasure while banning a teenager for a near 90mph rural pursuit
A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court has said that she wants a clear message to out to R drivers that high speeds are not acceptable.
She was speaking as Sean Brolly (19) of Teenaght Road in Derry admitted speeding on October 9 2025.
He also admitted not having R plates displayed on the same date.
The court was told that Brolly was observed driving on the Brockagh Road by police and in the pursuit the officers believed speeds reached almost 90mph.
Brolly was an R driver at the time and restricted to 45mph.
Defence counsel Adam Laird said that his client accepted that he was speeding but did not believe it had been that speed.
District Judge Suzanne Rice said that the court wanted to display it's 'stern displeasure' in a case like this.
She said that the R restriction was to take account of driver's inexperience and speed like this on rural roads was extremely dangerous as if an animal came on to the road there could be 'disastrous results'.
Brolly was disqualified from driving for four months and fined £350.