Case No. 1482Dangerous driving · Co. Donegal
Ben Murray given suspended sentence for dangerous driving at Donegal Rally
Ben Murray, a 25-year-old man from Strabane, Co Tyrone, was charged with dangerous driving after performing doughnuts and fishtailing in front of Gardaí at the Donegal International Rally in June 2024. The Lexus is200 he was driving sped off towards the border and was apprehended in the early hours of the following morning. At Letterkenny District Court on 20 June 2025, Murray was sentenced to a six-month prison term suspended for two years, disqualified from driving for two years, and fined €300. His solicitor told the court he was attending his first rally and was showing off for friends.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ben Murray was charged with dangerous driving at Letterkenny District Court.
- A Lexus is200 was performing doughnuts when Gardaí arrived, and the driver fishtailed in front of the patrol car, forcing Gardaí to reverse to avoid being hit.
- The Lexus sped off heading for the border and was apprehended in the early hours of the following morning.
- Where
- The incident took place at Drumbarnett, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal.
- Murray is from Carlton Drive, Strabane, Co Tyrone.
- When
- The incident occurred during the Donegal International Rally in June 2024.
- Sentence
- Murray was handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years, disqualified from driving for two years, and fined €300.
- Other details
- Murray had one previous conviction for drug driving and had been disqualified for one year, and was only back on the road for five months when the incident occurred.
- Murray's solicitor said he was attending his first rally and was showing off for friends.
- Murray is doing a traineeship for cranes and planned to go to Scandinavia to finish that process.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBen Murray was charged with dangerous driving at Letterkenny District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA Lexus is200 was performing doughnuts when Gardaí arrived. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe driver fishtailed in front of the patrol car, forcing Gardaí to reverse to avoid being hit. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe Lexus sped off heading for the border and was apprehended in the early hours of the following morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Drumbarnett, Manorcunningham. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMurray is from Carlton Drive, Strabane, Co Tyrone. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred during the Donegal International Rally in June 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMurray was handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMurray was disqualified from driving for two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMurray was fined €300. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMurray had one previous conviction for drug driving and had been disqualified for one year. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMurray was only back on the road for five months when the incident occurred. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMurray's solicitor said he was attending his first rally and was showing off for friends. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMurray is doing a traineeship for cranes and planned to go to Scandinavia to finish that process. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Jun2025Driver doing doughnuts & 'fishtailing' before Gardaí at rally event avoids jail
Sentencing hearing at Letterkenny District Court; Murray received a suspended custodial sentence, driving disqualification and fine.
convicted, Ben Murray, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ben Murray