An Inishowen drunk driver who performed handbrake turns and drove at high speed into a housing estate where young children were playing has been warned about his 'shocking record' of motoring offences.
Michael McColgan, 27 Chlos Padraig, Carndonagh admitted two charges of dangerous driving and a charge of drink driving at Carndonagh District Court this week. A fourth charge of assault was withdrawn.
The court heard that Mr. McColgan, a father-of-three, had wedding ribbons attached to the front of his car on June 28 last year when Gardai received a report that he was 'doing handbrake turns' and driving at 'high speed' through Clonmany.
Gardai later observed the defendant in a black UK-registered Vauxhall Vectra driving dangerously fast into a roundabout at Malin Road, Carn at approximately 9pm on the same date.
Inspector David Murphy told Judge Paul Kelly that Mr. McColgan (32) had driven into the roundabout with tyres 'screeching' and no regard whatsoever for other road users.
Gardai recognised the driver as Michael McColgan and followed his vehicle, which turned at speed with 'smoke and screeching noises' into Chlos Padraig.
While following the speeding vehicle into Chlos Padraig, Detective Mullins observed young children at play nearby and feared for their safety.
Mr. McColgan, who had been alone in the car, then turned sharply into the driveway of a house before exiting the vehicle.
Detective Mullins arrested the accused, who immediately became aggressive, telling Gardai that he wanted to go into the house to speak to his girlfriend.
At this stage Detective Mullins detected a smell of alcohol from Mr. McColgan's mouth. He admitted that he had been drinking.
He then resisted arrest and the assistance of Garda Lyons was sought to place Mr. McColgan into the patrol car.
The defendant was then brought to Buncrana Garda Station, where a reading showed that he had 70 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath in his system, more than three times the legal limit to drive.
Inspector Murphy told Judge Kelly that the accused, who now resides at Seaview Cottages, Glengad, has 31 previous convictions dating back to 2002, including multiple charges of dangerous driving, assault, criminal damage, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and threatening behaviour.
Defence solicitor Ray Lannon claimed that Mr. McColgan had left his sister's wedding on the day in question to avoid a possible argument that could have marred the occasion.
"He was at his sister's wedding in Ballyliffin that day. Certain persons had a go at him and tried to cause an argument that would have embarrassed his sister on her special day."
"To avoid anything occurring, he decided to leave the wedding and travelled from Clonmany to Carn."
Mr. Lannon said his client 'didn't realise' that the guards were behind him in Carn and wishes to apologise to them for his actions.
"He has a difficulty with drink," he said.
"Alcohol is the one common denominator in a lot of his previous convictions. However he is currently limiting his alcohol intake."
Solicitor Lannon said that Mr. McColgan earns a 'reasonable wage' as a fisherman and now has his life 'back on a proper footing'.
"All I can do is stand here and ask the court to show whatever mercy it can."
"He left the wedding to avoid a potential incident and, given those circumstances, I'd ask you to show leniency," Mr. Lannon urged Judge Kelly.
Judge Kelly said he would adjourn the case until September 15 next to allow for a community service report to be carried out on the defendant.
However he warned that he was not 'limiting' himself to a sentence of community service.
The judge told Mr. McColgan: "You have a shocking record of motoring offences and I'm amazed that you managed to get insurance to cover you on this occasion."