A District Court Judge in Donegal has said the practice of motorists performing donuts on public roads has to stop.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham was speaking at Letterkenny District Court in the case of a man who appeared charged with dangerous driving.
Niall Sexton was in court in connection with an incident on June 18, 2023.
Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that a Lexus iS200 was observed performing the manoeuvre in the car park of the Aura Leisure Centre at 4am.
“The continued practice of donuts is not something that can continue,” Judge Cunningham said. “There are designated areas in place now.”
Solicitor for Sexton, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said the iS200 was fully insured and the incident was in a ‘well stewarded’ car park and lasted 20 seconds.
Sexton, of O’Donnell Heights, Castlewellan, County Down, was accompanied to court by his mother.
Mr Gallagher said his client, who is a second year student undertaking an electrical degree, was ‘deeply remorseful’.
He said Sexton, who is aged 21, has no previous convictions in any jurisdiction.
“This young man has learned a salutary lesson, shown by how he has dealt with the matter,” Mr Gallagher said.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said she would afford Sexton an ‘opportunity’ given that he had met the case ‘very fairly’.
“One opportunity only,” Judge Cunningham said. “He could have lost his licence and it is important that he learns a lesson from this.”
The court heard that £200stg was previously lodged for bail and was fined the equivalent, €225.11, having been convicted of careless driving.
Sexton was not disqualified from driving.