A man who drove at speeds of up to 179kph and then boasted to Garda that they could not catch him has been jailed for 20 months and banned from driving for 10 years.
Shane Gibson appeared before Letterkenny District Court yesterday charged with more than 30 offences over a two year period.
When arrested by Gardai in September last, there were more than 20 bench warrants out for Gibson’s arrest.
Gibson, 29, a father of two of Carra Bay, Culdaff with a previous address in Creeslough, faced charges including dangerous driving, no insurance, no tax, no driving license and no NCT certificate.
The court heard how Gibson had tried to escape from Gardai during several pursuits on different dates.
On a number of occasions he overtook cars on continuous white lines, went the wrong way around roundabouts and drove erratically around blind bends.
Garda Marcus O’Dowd gave evidence of one pursuit in which Gibson was spotted driving dangerously on six different occasions during a pursuit from Letterkenny and across the border into Derry on September 15th last.
The court was told how Gibson drove his black Vauxhall Astra car at horrific speeds out of sight of Gardai as they tried to keep up with him.
Garda O’Dowd said that when Gibson was arrested a week later, he bragged about how he was able to get away from Gardai.
Evidence of other serious pursuits were also given to the court.
Gibson’s solicitor Donagh Cleary told the court that the death of a baby two years ago had undoubtedly been a catalyst for his client’s behaviour.
He said Gibson admitted to having a problem with alcohol and his behaviour was almost designed to get himself caught.
Gibson, who had 12 previous convictions for a range of offences including burglary, theft, trespassing, no insurance and public order, had inherited a farm of 40 acres from his late grandfather.
Judge Paul Kelly went through all the charges and took some into consideration and dismissed others.
He sentenced Gibson to a total of 20 months and backdated to September 26th last, the date in which he went into custody.
He also banned him from driving for ten years.
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