A young father of two was told he may never see his family again if he continues to drive in such an appalling manner.
Danny Connors is led away from Letterkenny Courthouse. (NW Newspix)
Falcarragh District Court heard how Danny Connors drove at speeds in excess of 180kph during a Garda pursuit.
The 21 year old overtook several cars over several miles after “panicking” when he saw Gardai.
Connors of Canal Road, Letterkenny, was sentenced to six months in prison, disqualified from driving for five years and fined €500 for various offences including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and no insurance.
The dangerous driving offences occurred at Raymoghy, Manorcunningham, The Polestar Roundabout, Neil T.Blaney Road while the insurance charge was at Canal Road. All the offences happened on February 17.
He pleaded guilty to two of the dangerous driving charges and the offence of no insurance.
Inspector David Kelly, said on February 17 at 8.55pm Gardai observed a Volkswagen Passat driving dangerously in Newtowncunningham towards Letterkenny.
They tried to follow him but could not keep up but witnessed other cars braking to try and avoid him.
Inspector Kelly said Connors immediately admitted he didn’t have insurance when caught.
He told Judge Paul Kelly the defendant had 11 previous convictions mainly for traffic offences in Sligo, Mullingar an Limerick and had been disqualified from driving for a period of two years.
Defence solicitor Michael Shiel told Judge Kelly he had been arrested on foot of a bench warrant and custody had been a very ‘sobering experience’ for him.
“He doesn’t want to go back,” Mr Shiel said.
He submitted a letter to the court on behalf of his client explaining how he had missed his wife and two children whilst in custody and assured the court he would not trouble it again for motoring offences if he got a chance.
However, Judge Kelly said it was an appalling case and it was a ‘miracle’ there wasn’t a serious accident.
“I wonder for a moment did he consider his driving could have left a family without a loved one.
“I appreciate he has missed his family while in prison but if he continues to drive like this he ma not see them again,” Judge Kelly said.
He said the driving was ‘reprehensible’ and he had to impose a custodial sentence.
For the dangerous driving offence at Raymoghy Judge Kelly imposed a six months prison and disqualified from driving for five years. On the other charge of dangerous driving at Neil T.Blaney Road he imposed another five years disqualification to run concurrent.
On the no insurance charge at Canal Road Judge Kelly imposed a four months prison sentence and disqualified Connors from driving for four years to run concurrent.