Ireland Donegal man banned for two years after drink-driving near St Johnston
On 13 September 2022 gardaí first came across a car on the Derry Road in St Johnston, Co Donegal, and tried to follow it as the driver sought to evade them, until it was caught at a farmyard at Altaskin, St Johnston. Officers noticed a can of lager in the driver's drink holder, and an intoxilyser test recorded 66 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, after which Sean Douglas, 34, was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station. He was charged with driving with alcohol above the legal limit, and his solicitor pleaded to the charge on his behalf because he lives in Australia. At Letterkenny District Court, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham fined him €200 with six months to pay and banned him from driving for two years, as reported on 18 May 2024.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced18 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The driver tried to evade gardaí before the car was caught at a farmyard.
- Where
- The car was first seen on the Derry Road, St Johnston, and was caught at a farmyard at Altaskin, St Johnston.
- When
- Gardaí first came across the car on 13 September 2022.
- Investigation
- Officers noticed a can of lager in the driver's drink holder.
- The driver gave a positive breath sample, and an intoxilyser test recorded 66 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
- Other details
- The driver was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station.
- He had no previous convictions.
- Sean Douglas was 34 years old.
- Charges
- He was charged with driving with alcohol in his body above the legal limit under Section 4(4)(a) and (5) of the Road Traffic Act 2010.
- In court
- The case was heard at Letterkenny District Court.
- His solicitor pleaded to the charge on his behalf, as he lives in Australia.
- Sentence
- Judge Éiteáin Cunningham fined him €200 and allowed six months to pay.
- He was banned from driving for two years.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe driver tried to evade gardaí before being caught at a farmyard. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe car was first seen on the Derry Road, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe vehicle was caught at a farmyard at Altaskin, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
- whenGardaí first came across the car on 13 September 2022. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationOfficers noticed a can of lager in the driver's drink holder. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe driver gave a positive breath sample. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationAn intoxilyser test recorded 66 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with driving with alcohol in his body above the legal limit. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe charge was brought under Section 4 (4)(a) and (5) of the Road Traffic Act 2010. (donegallive.ie)
- courtHis solicitor pleaded to the charge on his behalf, as he lives in Australia. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceJudge Éiteáin Cunningham fined him €200 and allowed six months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceHe was banned from driving for two years. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe driver was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHe had no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 May2024Two-year ban for Donegal drink-driver who tried to evade gardai
Court report on the sentence: a €200 fine, six months to pay, and a two-year driving ban. Gives the charge, the breath test reading and the defendant's age. Unrelated to case 13982, which concerns a different Sean Douglas and a different incident at the Abbey Hotel.
convicted, Sean Douglas, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Douglas