A pizza delivery man has been ordered to participate in the Pro-Social Drivers programme after being charged with dangerous driving.
Shaji Matthew, 46, with an address at Caislean Court, Castlefin appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with dangerous driving.
Mr Matthew, an employee of Domino’s Pizza was charged with dangerous driving in relation to an incident which occurred on the duel carriageway near Raymoughy, Letterkenny on the 23rd of December.
Inspector Goretti Sheridan told the court, “Gardaí observed a red corolla with a delivery sign on its roof pull up on the hard shoulder on the duel carriageway close to the Manorcunningham roundabout.
“He then performed a U-turn on the road and headed back down the duel carriageway in the wrong direction.
“He then proceeded to also drive around the roundabout in the wrong direction which was obviously extremely dangerous in both incidents.
Solicitor for the defendant Patsy Gallagher told the court, “My client had received a call that his wife had taken ill – and had been rushed to hospital.
“He basically dropped everything and decided to head immediately to the hospital to attend to his wife.
“He obviously made a big error – but was in a bit of panic after the phone call he had received and didn’t think.
“A disqualification would adversely effect his employment – and I’d appeal to the court for my client to participate in a Pro-Social Drivers programme.
Judge John Faughnan directed the defendant to participate in the four-week driving programme but adjourned the matter until July 18th.