A Donegal Judge has warned that young people performing dangerous manoeuvres on the county’s roads is “unacceptable”
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham was addressing a young Donegal Town man charged with dangerous driving.
Daniel McGinty, a 20-year-old of Drumgun, Donegal Town, appeared before Donegal District Court, sitting at Ballyshannon courthouse.
McGinty was charged in connection with an incident at Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, on November 20, 2025.
Garda Inspector Tony Byrne told the court that on the night in question at 9.05pm, Gardai spotted a black Volkswagen Passat enter the roadway. The defendant had the handbrake engaged and the rear wheels were locked.
Inspector Byrne said the car slid from side-to-side for a time and “caused a lot of smoke”.
The defendant was arrested and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station.
McGinty’s solicitor, Mr Francis Gillespie, said his client would tender a plea to a lesser charge of careless driving.
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After hearing the facts of the incident, Judge Cunningham said she would “reluctantly” reduce the charge to careless driving.
Mr Gillespie told the court that McGinty did something that he now realises to have been “exceptionally foolish and foolhardy”.
He said the incident has had a “very sobering effect on McGinty.
Judge Cunningham said: “It is as simple as this: If he goes down a certain route, there is a certain outcome. That is the beginning, middle and end of it.
“That type of driving behaviour is simply unacceptable. Not only does it put other road users, but himself at risk.
“Donegal is remote in terms of access to other areas and one’s licence is very important – and I am sure that you understand that. It is very important that road safety is a priority.”
Mr Gillespie added that McGinty had completed the ProSocial Driving course and that there had been a “full and frank” discussion with his parents.
Judge Cunningham fined McGinty €250 and allowed four months to pay.
On this occasion, she said she was not going to disqualify McGinty from driving given that he had no previous convictions and that he had undertaken the ProSocial Driving course.
Judge Cunningham added: “It seems to be that this incident has had an impact on him and he presents in that way to the court. He has now been given the benefit of not getting a disqualification marked – but he has to be extremely careful.”