Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 12681Driving while holding a mobile phone (road traffic offence) · Co. Donegal · 15 Jan 2025

Crane driver fined €250 for using mobile phone in Fahan, Donegal

Terence Murray, 32, of Strabane, was convicted in absentia at Buncrana District Court of driving a large crane while holding a mobile phone in Fahan, Co Donegal, on 15 January 2025, and was fined €250.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant was driving a large yellow crane (Tadano Faun vehicle) while holding a mobile phone (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe offence was detected at Roneragh, Figary, Fahan (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at 1.30pm on 15 January 2025 (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGarda Mark Flanagan was on mobile patrol when the offence was detected (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Buncrana District Court (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge convicted him and imposed a fine of €250 with five months to pay (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceRecognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed at €100 cash (donegallive.ie)
  • otherA fixed penalty charge notice was issued but went unpaid (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Sep2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Man who drove large crane in Inishowen while on his mobile phone fined €250 in court

    Court report of the conviction and sentencing in absentia; the defendant did not appear.

    convicted, Terence Murray, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Terence Murray