A District Court judge has refused an application to reduce a charge of dangerous driving by a young man clocked at 166km/h on a Donegal road.
Darragh Cummings appeared before Judge Emile Daly at Letterkenny District Court.
The 18-year-old, of Sunvale Park, Greysteel, was charged in connection with an incident at Rossbracken on April 19, 2026. The road in question is governed by a speed limit of 100km’/h.
Having initially represented himself, Judge Daly advised Cummings that he ought to seek legal advice.
Solicitor Mr Rory O’Brien subsequently represented the accused.
Mr O’Brien asked Judge Daly if she would consider accepting plea to a lesser charge of careless driving and said Cummings would undertake the ProSocial Driving Course.
“He is a very young man who has never come to any other adverse attention,” Mr O’Brien said. “He accepts that this was a momentary lapse of judgement.”
Mr O’Brien said that Cummings had written a letter of apology which he described as “very sincere”.
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However, Judge Daly said that a speed of 166km/h was “way beyond” consideration for a reduction to a careless driving charge.
“Speed is what is killing people,” Judge Daly said. “It is just too fast.”
Mr O’Brien asked if the court would reconsider the position and added: “There is no ‘good’ dangerous
driving case. He overlooked his decision making at the time. He fully accepts that he was wrong.
“This would have a significant impact on his life. That is a difficulty that he has placed upon himself.”
Mr O’Brien asked if the court would consider that Cummings could “do everything right and engage fully”.
Judge Daly referred the matter to another judge at a future sitting of a District Court in Donegal.