A man who led Gardai on a high-speed chase through the streets of Ballybofey has been given a six month prison sentence.
Letterkenny District Court heard how pedestrians had to take evasive action when James Mitchell hit speeds of over 110km/h.
At 1.28am on April 23, 2023, Gardai observed Mitchell getting into a vehicle at Glenfin Street, Ballybofey. Gardai were aware that a bench warrant was in existence for Mitchell.
Upon seeing the Gardai, Mitchell took off at speed and pulled onto Ballybofey Main Street into the path of oncoming traffic. Sergeant Jim Collins outlined the case to the court and told how Mitchell forced motorists and pedestrians to take avoidance action.
The 42-year-old with an address at Finnside Close, Lifford, Mitchell appeared via video link from Castlerea Prison, where he is currently incarcerated.
Sergeant Collins said Mitchell drove in ‘an unsafe and dangerous’ manner. Mitchell sped up to 90km/h on Ballybofey’s Main Street and crossed over the centre lines on numerous occasions.
Mitchell turned onto Navenny Street and again people had to take avoidance action with the driver going in excess of 110km/h.
Gardai subsequently spoke to Mitchell and made a lawful demand to produce documents, but none were given to officers.
The accused was also before the court charged with criminal damage to a car belonging to a woman he had previously been in a relationship with. The court heard that the windscreen was damaged and that the tyres were slashed.
Sergeant Collins said there was ‘extensive damage’ caused to the vehicle. When interviewed by Gardai, Mitchell admitted the incident and apologised.
Mr Michael Shiel, solicitor for Mitchell, said his client was on the run and he ‘just fled because he didn’t want the bench warrant to be executed’. Mr Shiel said Mitchell was sentenced to a 20-month prison sentence last month and said this matter would have been included on that date had the State been in a position to deal with it then.
Regarding the damage to the car, Mr Shiel said there was ‘a lot of toxicity between the parties’ and said his client has admitted his wrongdoing.
On one of the dangerous driving charges, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham sentenced Mitchell to four months in prison. For the criminal damage to the car, Mitchell was given a two-month prison sentence. Other charges were taken into consideration. The sentences are to run consecutive to each and concurrent to the sentence currently being served by Mitchell.
Noting that a ten-year driving disqualification had been imposed recently, Judge Cunningham struck out two other charges of dangerous driving.
Last month, Mitchell was jailed for a raft of offences, including ten of dangerous driving, as well as a glut of thefts in Letterkenny and with handling stolen property.