A Donegal man who sped off from a checkpoint, forcing a garda to jump out of the way as a result, has been put off the road.
Darren McDaid was given a two-year ban from driving at Buncrana District Court.
McDaid was charged in connection with the incident on January 28, 2022 at St Mary’s Road in Cockhill.
McDaid, a 31-year-old of Ard Crana, Buncrana, was not present in court. His solicitor, Mr Rory O’Brien told the court that his client has emigrated to Australia.
Mr O’Brien said his client was pleading guilty.
Inspector Paul Gallagher said Gardaí were conducting a mandatory intoxicant testing (MIT) checkpoint at 12.11am at St Mary’s Road when they observed a Kia Ceed approaching being driven by McDaid.
Gardai detected a smell of intoxicating liquor from the vehicle. As Gardaí were processing the matter, McDaid put the car into gear and made off at speed, spinning the wheels. Garda Mateusz Ferenc had to jump out of the way, Inspector Gallagher said.
McDaid was also charged with an incident on St Patrick’s Day, 2021. Gardai observed McDaid, at 10.50pm at Cockhill Road, Buncrana, urinating at the roadside. When approached by Gardaí, McDaid was slurring his words and unsteady on his feet. The accused man became verbally and physically abusive and hit out towards Gardai, Inspector Gallagher said.
After failing to respond to any requests from the officers, McDaid was arrested and conveyed to Buncrana Garda Station.
The court was informed that McDaid has five previous convictions, including for failing to stop for a Garda and careless driving.
Mr O’Brien said there was involvement of alcohol in both matters and proffered an apology on behalf of the accused.
He said while there was no way to condone, excuse or justify the incident, his client “panicked and took the wrong route”.
In relation to the incident on St Patrick’s Day, Mr O’Brien said McDaid was making his way home when he “stopped for his natural reasons” and he became aggrieved that the Gardai made an “unnecessary stop”.
Mr O’Brien told the court that McDaid has since knuckled down and has not come to adverse attention since.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham convicted McDaid for dangerous driving and fined him €250, allowing five months to pay. McDaid was also disqualified from driving for two years. Judge Cunningham said there was “absolutely no way” she would have considered reducing the charge to one of careless driving.
For the public order matter from St Patrick’s Day, Judge Cunningham reiterated her stance with regard to abuse levelled at members of An Garda Siochana while in the course of their duties. McDaid was fined €300 and given five months to pay.