A man who shouted expletives and shook his fist in a threatening manner on Letterkenny’s Main Street has been fined €150 at the local court.

Patrick Brosnan of the Quiet Moment Apartments, Letterkenny, appeared before Letterkenny District Court accused of disorderly conduct in a quiet place.

The court heard that on March 30th last year Brosnan shouted at people outside Warehouse Bar from his first floor apartment.

Gardai said he then proceeded to come down onto the street where he ran towards a man shouting expletives and then shaking his fist in a threatening manner.

Gardai arrived and asked him to desist but he refused.

He was given a second chance to leave the area and he did.

He was issued with a fine but this was not paid.

Judge Paul Kelly fined Brosnan €150 and gave him two months to pay the fine.

A young woman has appeared in court charged with thefts using a bank card.

Alicia Shaw, with an address at 26 Mount St Josephs, Kingscourt in Cavan appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

She was charged with using a Bank of Ireland bank card belonging to Bridget Murphy in Buncrana on a number of occasions in Buncrana in 2014 and 2015.

The 23 year old accused woman used the card on several occasions to withdraw cash sums from the card.

She pleaded guilty to all charges.

She was released on her own bail to appear again at the July sitting of the circuit court when she will be sentenced by Judge John Aylmer. 

A boy has appeared in court charged with assault after pulling a 12-year-old girl’s hair.

The boy, who is now aged 14, appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with the incident which happened when he was 13.

The court heard that the boy went to the girl’s house in Letterkenny on August 27th, 2017 and they had a disagreement.

She alleges that he pulled her hair and then kicked her.

However, solicitor for the boy Mr Michael Shiel said his client denied he had kicked the girl.

He said there had been a boyfriend and girlfriend situation going on between the youngsters and added to Judge Paul Kelly that it would have happened in their day.

The boy, who has no previous convictions, was accompanied to court by his mother but all members of the public had been asked to leave the courtroom.

Judge Kelly asked the boy if he had apologised to the girl.

He replied that he had after he met her again at a teenage disco a few weeks ago.

The court heard how the boy’s family had now moved to another part of Donegal to live.

Judge Kelly then asked Garda Sgt Jim Collins if he could see the report of the incident.

Having viewed the report Judge Kelly said it didn’t appear like the pair were the best of friends.

He adjourned the case until April 15th and requested a victim impact statement from the girl on the matter.

A young man who did a runner without paying for €43 of petrol and then caused €3,500 damage to a Garda patrol car has escaped jail after receiving a good probation report.

Thomas McBride, aged 18, appeared before Letterkenny District Court on a series of charges.

The court heard McBride was 18 years old when he took his parents’ car and drove to a petrol station where it put €43 of petrol in it but took off without paying on May 14th last year.

The car was later observed by Gardai but McBride again took off despite Gardai activating their blue lights and sirens.

He reached speeds of 120kph in 80kph zones and overtook cars in the village of Kilmacrennan before colliding with a Garda car and another car before being arrested.

The total damage to the cars was €3,500 and McBride was charged with a series of offences including driving wihtout insurane, theft and dangerous driving.

Judge Paul Kelly said he had read the reports into the incident and described it as “shocking.”

He said this was a series of incidents which involved a number of Garda cars which eventually resulted in McBride, of Gortnaskeagh, Kilmacrennan, crashing his parents’ car and causing all this damage.

He said the incident merited a custodial sentence and a hefty driving ban.

However, he said he had to take into account the act that McBride had no previous convictions and that the probation report into McBride was very positive.

He had undertaken the Pro-Social Drivers Course and the court was told that he was respectful and kind to others on the course and that he had impressed the probation services in general.

He now worked within the family business.

Judge Kelly it was because of these factors that McBride was not going to jail.

He sentenced McBride to a total of 120 community service in lieu of a prison sentence fined him €250 and banned him from driving for two years.

And he told the accused “You are very fortunate to be walking out of court.”

A Judge has asked for a detailed statement of means from a Co Donegal senator who has appeared in court on foot of an instalment order application.

Independent Senator Brian O Domhnaill appeared at Falcarragh District Court where an application was made to determine how much the politician can pay on a debt.

The application was made by solicitor Rory O’Brien instructed by A&L Goodbody Solicitors on behalf of the Standards in Public Office (SIPO).

It follows two separate applications by SIPO after High Court orders for costs were given in a previous case.

The case arose after SIPO found Senator O’Domhnaill had wrongly claimed expenses of around €2,000 when he was a Fianna Fáil Donegal County Councillor during 2006/7 on foot of an anonymous complaint to Donegal County Council.

The State ethics watchdog found Mr Ó Domhnaill intentionally broke ethics legislation after he claimed expenses from two separate bodies for the same trip.

The Senator was found to have breached ethics rules by the Standards in Public Office Commission after claiming expenses from both Donegal County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta on three occasions in 2006.

He claimed hundreds of euro in travel and subsistence for attending the events which took place simultaneously but which were hundreds of kilometres apart.

It cost SIPO in excess of €360,000 to investigate the matter in which Senator O’Domhnaill denied any wrongdoing.

Most of the costs relate to High Court and Court of Appeal hearings connected to the case and for translation services. SIPO won its claim for costs.

In 2016 the Gortahork based senator resigned from Fianna Fáil and is now and Independent senator.

Defence solicitor Kieran Haran claimed the application was vexatious by bringing it before the local court in his area.

He said his client was looking for a period of time to deal with the matter through an insolvency practitioner.

“This is vexatious in the first instance. A judgement is in place. Any other judgement against any other person would be allowed to go through process.

“Why would Mr O’Domhnaill be any different. The aim is to bring it before the court in his local area. He is in quite a lot of debt because of this but it is not his only debt,” Mr Harron added.

However, Mr O’Brien pointed out that the application was brought in the court area where Mr O Domhnaill resides and was being made on foot of the High Court orders.

He added that SIPO was not consenting to an adjournment as this avenue had been explored before and rejected.

Mr O Domhnaill was in the vicinity of the court but did not come into the courtroom for the hearing.

Judge Paul Kelly asked to see Mr O Domhnaill’s statement of means.

Having viewed the file he noted that the contents of the statement of means were “sparse.”

He asked Mr Haran: “What can your client afford? On the face of it does not look like there is a lot there,” Judge Kelly asked referring to the statement of means.”

Mr Harron told him some of the larger debts could be dealt with as there were two investment properties.

Judge Kelly added “The difficulty is that his statement of means is very sparse. In the absence of a more detailed statement, it will be difficult for the court to deal with it.

“He would need to be a lot more forthcoming with the various statements in the statement of means.”

He adjourned the case until March 25 for a full statement of means.

A 9-year-old schoolgirl has been awarded €55,000 after catching her finger in a school door.

The little girl had lost the tip of her finger and it could not be replaced, Letterkenny Circuit Court was told.

The girl was initially offered compensation of €35,000 following the accident which occurred in April 2017 at a Donegal primary school.

Representing the infant, Fiona Crawford, B.L. said the girl had been operating the door of a classroom when it had closed back on her finger.

She had initially been taken to Letterkenny University Hospital before being transferred to Galway where an operation was performed on her finger by surgeon, Michael O’Sullivan.

Ms Crawford told Judge John Alymer that as a result of the crush injury, the child was sensitive to cold weather and would not permit anyone to touch the affected finger.

She said the girl suffered discomfort and said she would not be allowed to have her nails grow long and was left with a scar on the top of her finger.

Her writing had also been affected following the incident.

Ms Crawford said the original offer of €35,000 was low considering the effects the injury had caused.

Judge Alymer agreed and refused the offer, stating that an improved offer should be made.

Later in the court, he approved a settlement of €55,000.

A Ballybofey man who turned up to a house with a knife and made threats was given a four-month prison sentence.

Darius McAteer, who is currently serving a nine-month sentence at Castlerea Prison, appeared via video link to Letterkenny District Court.

McAteer was charged with incidents on July 11^th 2018, which occurred while he was on bail. McAteer’s bail was revoked as a result of these incidents.

The Court heard that McAteer had played pool in the company of others at Planet Youth in Ballybofey.

Two teenagers left the premises, Inspector Michael Harrison told the Court, after becoming ‘uncomfortable’.

“After she and her friend returned home, Darius let himself in and asked to play the Playstation,” Inspector Harrison said.

After McAteer was asked to leave, he sent a number of threatening messages to the pair.

He said in one: ‘I’ll be over to put your windows through’ while another read: ‘Your dad will be getting cut up’.

One told McAteer that the Gardaí would be called and he responded in a series of messages: ‘Go on, call them now, I dare you’, ‘Fucking do it, you’ll get the same’.

A short time later, McAtreer turned up to the house with a knife, threatening to ‘cut all of your faces off’.

McAteer has over 20 previous convictions.

“His difficulties have been recited on a number of occasions and he has been seen by a psychiatrist and a psychologist,” solicitor for McAteer, Mr Frank Dorrian, said.

“It seems that he sees each new day as a new start, but he finds difficulty in connecting with the previous.
“His social skills are inadequate. The encounter was unfortunate and very unwelcome. The texts were not as overbearing as it sounds. His reaction became more negative.”

McAteer told the Court that he is attending school and workshops in Castlerea.

Judge Paul Kelly sentenced McAteer to four months in prison, to run concurrent and backdated the term to December 17th.

“It is very difficult to overestimate the level of fear resulting from these activities,” Judge Kelly said.

“We are very familiar with Mr McAteer’s problems and it is notable that strident efforts have been made on his behalf to get him the help that he needs.

“Unfortunately, the fact that other people get hurt, injured or distressed and they have to be protected.”

A Letterkenny man, who led Gardaí on two high-speed chases on the one night was found in possession of seven-and-a-half grams of cocaine when apprehended.

Damian Collier, of 75 Glenwood Park, was before Letterkenny District Court on charge of being in possession of a controlled drug for unlawful sale or supply.

After being arrested and restrained by Gardaí following two separate pursuits, Detective Garda Derek Connaughton believed Collier to have something in his mouth, which the defendant said was false teeth.

Collier subsequently spat out the golf-ball-sized item from his mouth, identified as being seven-and-a-half grams of cocaine, with a street value of €525.

Garda Connaughton told the Court that he was on patrol on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 8.55pm when he observed a black Ford Mondeo approaching him at Corravady.

The driver he knew as Mr Collier, who he was aware did not have a driving licence.

Garda Connaughton activated the blue lights and sirens and followed Collier for 20 minutes before stopping ‘due to the recklessness’ of the defendant.

Gardai went to Collier’s home and waited for three-quarters of an hour before leaving.

At Ballyraine, Garda Connaughton noted a Volkswagen Golf, being driven by someone he believed to be ‘an associate’ of Collier and followed that vehicle to a car park near the Silver Tassie Hotel.

There, they found the Mondeo, with Damian Collier and his half-brother Darren.

After spotting Gardaí, Damian Collier took off at speed.
Garda Connaughton gave evidence of a high-speed chase through various townlands on ‘minor back roads’ at speeds of up to 130km/h.

Garda Traffic Corps personnel deployed a stinger at Kilmacrennan, but Collier drove on, hitting 80km/h. He was followed by several patrol cars for 45 minutes through Gortnavern, Templedouglas, Churchill and Glendowan.

“At not one junction did he stop,” Garda Connaughton said, adding that other motorists were forced into evasive action.

As Collier went onto the main Glenties road near Meenaroy, he ‘mounted a ditch, hit road signs, removing them from their concrete base’.

The occupants of the Mondeo left the vehicle and was abandoned in the townland of Meenatinney, Churchill. A search of the area took place, but they two men were not located.

Some hours later, at 3.25am on April 4, 2018, uniformed Gardaí at Breenagh stopped a car in which Collier was a passenger.

“Damian was soaked from head-to-toe,” Garda Connaughton said. “It was minus-one on the night. He had gone through the river where the car had stopped.”

Garda Connaughton said it was his suspicion that he had attempted to evade Gardaí as a ‘transaction’ had been intercepted.

“It was my suspicion that he took chase as he was in possession of drugs,” he said. “When he was detected, cocaine estimated to be worth €500 was found. That is too much for personal use.”

Solicitor for Collier, Mr Frank Dorrian, said the sum, believed to be around 35 lines of cocaine was ‘not an outrageous amount for someone chronically addicted to cocaine’.

He said: “If he is taking five lines a day, this cache would be exhausted within a week. It is not an extravagant amount.”

Mr Dorrian said there was no evidence that Collier intended to supply the cocaine seized to the lady he had met in the car par.

“That would put every person in possession guilty of intent to supply,” Mr Dorrian said.

Judge Paul Kelly said that Collier had a case to answer, ‘albeit on a small scale’ and described the amount as ‘significant’.

Addressing the Court, Collier said he had paid €250 for the drugs and believed that he was buying three-and-a-half grams. He was ‘surprised’ to learn the amount that had been seized.

Collier said he used ‘a couple of grams a day’ and in relation to the quantity seized from him on the night in question said he could ‘take it all in one go’.

Inspector Michael Harrison put it to Collier that he had €250 to spend as he sold drugs.

Collier, who told the Court that he was now ‘clean for the last five months’, said he worked on cars and saved some money.

He said he ‘panicked’ on the night and drove away from the Gardaí.

Collier is facing other charges, including those arising out of a chase on April 10, 2017. Garda McLoone observed a Honda Acccord traveling at 110km/h in an 80km/h area. Garda McLoone said the car increased speed on ‘greasy and slippery roads’ before colliding with a barrier.

Damien Collier was apprehended and, following a blood sample, cocaine was found in his system.

Collier, who faces other charges from 2016, was remanded and the case adjourned to the March 25 sitting of the court.

An Inishowen man has been sent forward for trial to the present sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court charged with harassing a woman.

Martin Hughes (66) of Three Trees, Quigley’s Point, was before a sitting of Carndonagh District Court where he was served with a book of evidence.

The accused is charged with harassing Ms Michelle Doherty within the State on two separate dates, April 1, 2011 and January 31, 2016.

Inspector Michael Harrison told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the present sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Giving the accused his alibi warning, Judge Kelly sent Hughes forward for trial to the present sitting, granting his Solicitor, Ms Geraldine Conaghan legal aid, including one junior counsel.

A man has appeared in court on dangerous driving charges.

Darren Rodgers, 23, from Tory Island, appeared at Falcarragh District Court charged with the incidents in Gortahork on St Valentine’s Day.

Garda Inspector Seamus McGonigle told the court that he expected further charges in the case.

The case was adjourned until April 17th next.

A Letterkenny chef has appeared in court after being caught with a quantity of cannabis.

Michael Kemmy, of Glencar appeared at Letterkenny District Court after he was stopped by Gardai driving a VW Golf on Port Road in Letterkenny.

When stopped Gardai suspected he was nervous and he admitted to Gardai that he had three cannabis joints and cannabis resin.

The drugs, whom Kemmy said were for his personal use, was worth €50.

Judge Paul Kelly said he would give Kemmy a chance to avoid a criminal conviction by paying €150 the Letterkenny Community and Youth Centre.

The driver of a car involved in a crash that claimed three young lives has ‘a case to answer’ on a number of offences relating to the smash, a Judge has found.

Sean Ward faces charges of driving without a licence, failing to produce insurance, failing to produce a driving licence and driving with no insurance on July 28, 2016.

Theresa Robinson (20), Kaylem Ó Murachaidh (19) and Steven McGrath-McCafferty (19) all lost their lives in the accident at Corravady, around five miles from Letterkenny.

Relatives of the three victims were in court as lengthy evidence was heard to determine whether it was ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ that Ward was the driver of the Toyota Avensis car involved in the fatal crash.

Mr Ward was also seriously injured in the crash.

Solicitor for Sean Ward, Mr Kieran O’Gorman stressed that his client was before the court on a summons of driving a vehicle with no insurance on a certain date.

“My client is not on trial for anything other than driving a vehicle at a place on a date,” Mr O’Gorman said.

“This young man was very seriously injured, had bleeding on the brain, two broken legs, spent two weeks in intensive care, three weeks in hospital and is still suffering.

“He has no memory whatsoever of this accident – nothing before, during or after.”

Garda Kilcoyne said he was on duty on Thursday morning, July 28, 2016, when he received a report of a road traffic collision between Drumkeen and Letterkenny.

When he arrived at the scene, he observed a vehicle parked on the left-hand side of the road.

He said he was met by a man, Hugh Sweeney, who said he had called the emergency

Garda Kilcoyne found a young female, ‘lying half on the road and half in the passenger side of the car’. He found no pulse on the woman.

Garda Kilcoyne proceeded towards a small hatchback car, lying in the ditch. He observed a young male lying across the inside of the vehicle. He found no pulse on the man.

Garda Kilcoyne said he found a second young male lying alongside the rear driver side wheel of the car. Again, he found no pulse.

Garda Kilcoyne had found Sean Ward, of Hilltop, Stranorlar, at the back of the Toyota, ‘crawling on the road’.

The Garda told the Court that Sean Ward had said when questioned at the scene: ‘I’m going down the road. I’ve no licence. I’ve no nothing. I was driving. Is Teresa okay? I’m going down the road’.

Mr O’Gorman said his client would not have ‘understood what the caution was’, however Garda Kilcoyne said the man was able to give his address and date of birth.

Divisional scenes of crime officer Garda John Madigan gave evidence said he recovered what he described as ‘exhibits of forensic importance’ from the Toyota, among them the airbag from the driver’s side of the car.

In September 2016, Garda Madigan attended a secure storage area and removed the front passenger airbag from the Toyota.

The airbags were sent for forensic examination.

John Hoad, from Forensic Science Ireland, confirmed the DNA profile from areas of a light bloodstain on the driver’s airbag matched that of Sean Ward.

A bloodstain on the passenger airbag was generated from a female source.

“The conclusion was that the blood findings were what you would expect to find if Sean Ward was driving and a female was in the front passenger seat.

Ambulance driver John Ward said he spoke to Sean Ward, who he said was ‘coherent and adamant that he didn’t want me to go near him’.

He said: “He (Sean Ward) was adamant that he was getting no injections and he was coherent at the time. He told me his name, his date of birth and his address’.

Hugh Sweeney was taking bales of silage from Fintown on his lorry on the night in question and came upon the accident.

Mr Sweeney said that Sean Ward had told him that he was not driving the car.

Mr O’Gorman said his client had an ‘open wound that was bleeding continuously and needed 19 stitches.’

Mr O’Gorman said: ‘He has no memory of this terrible drama. It is a probability and a possibility, but it is not certain beyond reasonable doubt’.

Sean Ward was arrested for dangerous driving causing death on October 24, 2016.

Garda Kilcoyne said he was aware that Detective Garda Sullivan had made a demand of Sean Ward on August 2, 2016 to produce a driving licence and certificate of insurance within ten days and neither were submitted.

Inspector Michael Harrison argued that Sean Ward had made ‘an honest admission not under duress or stress’ and that this should be prima facie evidence.

“I believe beyond reasonable doubt that Sean Ward was the driver of the vehicle,” Inspector Harrison said.

Sean Ward, who has three previous convictions, has never had a driving licence, the Court heard.

“There is no way that blame can be attributed to anyone,” Mr O’Gorman said.

“He is suffering and will suffer for the rest of his life as a result of the horrendous injuries he received. He has brain and physical injuries that he will carry for the rest of his life.

“This does not in any way throw blame on any party with what happened on the night.”

Judge Kelly said he had no evidence bar observations to suggest that Sean Ward was incoherent or disorientated.

“I have to conclude that the admission is prima-face evidence that he was the driver of the vehicle,” Judge Kelly said.

“That is reinforced by DNA evidence. There are possible alternative explanations, but there is also the explanation that Mr Ward was the driver, the airbag came out and that is how the blood went on it. In my view, Mr Ward has a case to meet.”

The case was adjourned until May 2. Judge Kelly asked that a probation report and a community service report be prepared for that date.

A man has appeared in court following two incidents during which two women were robbed of their purses in Letterkenny.

John Tierney, of Celtic Apartments in Letterkenny, appeared at a sitting of Letterkenny District Court this morning.

He is charged with theft at the Courtyard Shopping Centre on both February 24th and 26th.

Gardai objected to bail in the case and Judge Paul Kelly refused the bail application.

Tierney, aged 30, was remanded in custody to appear at Letterkenny District Court on Monday next.

A man has been jailed for six years following the deaths of three Donegal women who were killed in a horrific road smash as they returned home from a dream holiday.

Jason Rowntree was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the deaths of the three women.

Margaret McGonagle (69) from Bruckless, her daughter, Mairead O’Neill Mundy (37), and their neighbour Rachel Battles (39) were all killed instantly following the smash at Aclint Bridge, Ardee, County Louth on July 21, 2017.

They had been driving back to Donegal having had a dream holiday in Turkey when the tragedy happened around 12.30am a short time after they left Dublin Airport.

The Irish Independent reports how Rowntree of Plantation House, Kingscourt, Co Louth collided head on with a Toyota Auris car on July 21.

Dundalk Circuit Court heard how the accused man had drank between three and five pints of Guinness in a pub prior to the accident and had no recollection of the accident after he was seriously injured.

Mairead’s husband Padraig Mundy was driving behind the car in which his wife was fatally injured.

He said “It was like somebody reached into my body and pulled my heart out.”

He described her bubbly personality and told of the love he never felt before when he met her in 2014 and they had so much plans.

Gayle McGonagle said the deaths of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law left a “gaping hole” in her life.

Rowntree pleaded guilty to the dangerous driving charge before Christmas at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court and today Judge Patrick Quinn handed down sentence.

He sentenced Rowntree to six years with the final two years suspended on conditions that including the accused attend alcohol awareness and counselling programmes.

The Judge said the accused crossed a continuous white line onto the opposite side of the road and collided with the Toyota Auris car.

The Judge however, remarked he couldn’t ignore the statement of a lorry driver who told Gardai a Black Volkswagen Passat pulled out in front of him from a side road and then pulled up onto the hard shoulder.

The Judge said it was not a case of a momentary lack of attention, while accepting the accused didn’t intend the damage that he caused.

The accused had accepted responsibility for the accident and had a clear record. He accepted his remorse was genuine.

The accused, who it was stated had not driven since the accident, was disqualified from driving for 15 years.

A frail pensioner who had been found guilty of attacking a man with a stick in a row over turf on a Donegal bog has had her conviction overturned.

Annie Healy, who is in her 70s, had previously been found guilty of assaulting Charles O’Donnell at a bog in Lettermacaward on April 23rd, 2017.

The court heard how Mr O’Donnell of Derrydruel arrived at the bog at 9am having spent the previous evening filling bags of turf.

However, when he arrived he claimed he found Ms Healy and another person shifting the bags to another location.

A stand-off ensued and he claimed that Ms Healy then picked up a stick and struck him with it in the forehead and face.

Photos of his injuries were shown to Judge John Aylmer during the district court appeal hearing at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Mr O’Donnell also claimed that the driver of a turf-cutting machine, Patrick Bonner also attacked him by kicking him.

Both Mr Bonner and Mrs Healy deny that any assault ever took place on Mr O’Donnell.

However, on his evidence, the alleged victim said “She had gone mad and started using abusive language. I was in a daze for a time after she hit me.”

Letterkenny courthouse. Pic by Donegal Daily.

He added that he left the bog immediately and contacted the Gardai.

Mrs Healy, of Driumlaghdrid, Lettermacaward, denied she ever struck Mr O’Donnell but said he had had it in for her family for many years.

When cross-examined by her own solicitor, Mr Cormac Hartnett, Mrs Healt replied: “At my age, how would I have lifted a stick that heavy?”

Mr Bonner denied that he had even got off his machine and denied that he ever kicked Mr O’Donnell.

Having considered the matter, Jude Aylmer said there was no degree of proof needed in the case that Mr O’Donnell had actually been assaulted.

He allowed the appeal in the case and struck out the charges of assault against Mrs Healy and Mr Bonner.

A man who led Gardai on a high-speed chase before pulling up outside a Garda station claims he thought undercover officers were other people out to get him.

Neil Lynch took off at speed after being approached by Gardai in an unmarked patrol car in Co Donegal on December 14th last.

The 41-year-old was parked outside a garage in the village of St Johnston when he saw a car approaching him.

He sped off towards the village of Carrigans as Gardai pursued him with their siren on and flashing blue light activated.

Lynch increased his speed and then entered onto the wrong side of the road before eventually pulling up outside Carrigans Garda station.

His solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client did not know he was being pursued by Gardai but by other individuals.

Judge Paul Kelly replied incredulously “With sirens and blue flashing lights?”

Mr Gallagher replied that his client did have a chequered past.

He said this was the same man who drove a lorry with a tricolour on it through Armagh on July 12th.

However, he said Lynch was now trying to move on with his life and was working as a digger driver in Dublin and earning €700 per week.

“He seems to have turned over a new leaf and I am asking the court to see if he will abide by the law. If he is working and providing then it will be better all ’round,” said Mr Gallagher.

Judge Kelly said he was “very sceptical” about someone who drives away from a car with sirens and blue lights flashing on it.

He added that Lynch, of Tullyowen, St Johnston, had an appaling record.

He adjourned the case until May 17th and ordered Lynch to undertake the Pro-Social Driving course.

A man who spat at hospital staff and Gardai has been ordered to keep the peace after appearing in court.

Constance O’Donnell appeared at Letterkenny District Court on public order charges which took place at Letterkenny University Hospital on November 30th last.

Garda Seamus Lyons told the court that while in the hospital Gardai were alerted to a drunk man who was spitting at staff.

When they went to chat to the man he began spitting at them and was refusing treatment.

O’Donnell’s solicitor said her client had suffered from mental health issues which he was trying to address.

She said her client acknowledged his behaviour was unacceptable and that he had apologised to hospital staff.

“He is a troubled gentleman,” said the solicitor.

Judge Paul Kelly bound the man to the peace for 12 months, fined him €100 for not appearing at a previous court sitting and took other charges into consideration.

A Donegal woman has been fined €100 and ordered to pay €725.08 to the ISPCA to cover veterinary costs after she was convicted of failing to provide sufficient food for a Rottweiler dog, which was found emaciated on her property.

Justine Duffy, age 24, of Oakland Heights, Drumkeen, pleaded guilty to one offence under Section 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, with two offences under Section 12 and another under Section 11 taken into consideration.

The case originated from a call to the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline.

Senior Inspector Kevin Mc Ginley responded and, after multiple visits to the property, he finally made contact with Justine Duffy and was able to view the dog in question on 11th May 2017.

He observed an emaciated female Rottweiler dog with protruding ribs, hips and backbone.

The defendant agreed to surrender the dog, named Titch, and Inspector McGinley immediately transported her to a vet in Letterkenny. On examination the dog was found to weigh only 20.8kg.

Senior Inspector McGinley told Judge Paul Kelly that blood tests were conducted in order to rule out any underlying health issues such as diabetes.

The court was also informed by Inspector McGinley that the dog was in the care of the ISPCA for approximately 20 weeks and that in that time she gained 12 Kgs, more than half of her initial weight.

Inspector Mc Ginley said: “When I saw the dog on this property, I was instantly concerned for her welfare upon observing how thin she was. Pet owners have an obligation to provide sufficient food for their animals, and an obligation to proactively seek advice from a vet if their animal isn’t eating. It was shocking to see someone let their dog get to this state.”

Titch was transferred to the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford where she made a full recovery and was rehomed in Co Kildare.

Two young Inishowen men charged with the murder of a 66-year-old man in Sydney have had their case adjourned for a month.

Nathan Kelly, 21, and Christopher McLaughlin, 24, were initially charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm after a man was discovered in a critical condition in the early hours of Saturday, December 29.

Paul Tavelardis was taken from the scene in the inner west suburb of Summer Hill and died in hospital on January 8.

The pair subsequently had their charges upgraded to murder.

The case was heard at Burwood Local Court today and adjourned until Wednesday, April 17.

Kelly, from Glengad, and McLaughlin, from Malin, did not appear.

The duo are currently being held in separate prisons in New South Wales and face life sentences if found guilty.

They arrived in Australia just a few months ago.

Bradley Tavelardis said his father had battled leukaemia and heart issues in later years and wouldn’t have had the strength to defend himself.

The parents of the two accused Donegal men described the ordeal as a “nightmare.”

A man who was caught by Gardai in Donegal after he fled from an attempted bombing in Derry has been jailed for 25 years.

Dissident republican Sean McVeigh was jailed for planting a bomb under the car of a PSNI officer in Co Derry in 2015.

McVeigh, of Victoria Gardens in Lurgan, Co Armagh, was convicted earlier this month of the attempted murder of the off-duty officer.

The 38 year old was also found guilty at his non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court of possessing explosives with intent to endanger life.

The murder bid was foiled when the PSNI officer’s wife raised the alarm at their home in the Eglinton area of Co Derry in the early hours of June 18 2015.

McVeigh was arrested by gardaí in Killygordon following a car chase a short time later.