Saturday 31 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. 20296Dangerous driving · Co. Donegal · 3 Apr 2023

Donegal man in court over 171km/h speeding charge

James Sharkey, a 36-year-old man from Annagry in west Donegal, was detected driving at 171km/h on a 100km/h road at Coolboy Big, Letterkenny, at 11.31pm on 3 April 2023. Gardaí were conducting a speed checkpoint at the time. Sharkey was charged with dangerous driving and appeared at Letterkenny District Court in July 2023, where the judge refused to accept a plea to careless driving because of the speed involved. The case was adjourned to 16 October to be listed before a visiting judge.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Sharkey was detected driving at 171km/h on a road with a 100km/h speed limit.
Where
The detection took place at Coolboy Big, Letterkenny, Donegal.
When
The detection took place at 11.31pm on 3 April 2023.
Investigation
Gardaí were conducting a speed checkpoint when Sharkey was detected.
Charges
Sharkey was charged with dangerous driving.
In court
  • The judge at Letterkenny District Court refused to accept a plea to careless driving because of the speed involved.
  • The case was adjourned to 16 October to be listed before a visiting judge.
Other details
Sharkey is a 36-year-old man with an address at Bayview House, Annagry.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSharkey was driving at 171km/h. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereSharkey was detected at Coolboy Big, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe detection took place on 3 April 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenSharkey was detected at 11.31pm. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were running a speed checkpoint when Sharkey was detected. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeSharkey was charged with dangerous driving. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge was not satisfied to accept a plea to careless driving because of the speed involved. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until 16 October to be listed before a visiting judge. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe road has a 100km/h speed limit. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Jul2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man in court on 171km/h speeding charge

    First report of this case. Adds the court appearance at Letterkenny District Court, the judge's refusal to accept a plea to careless driving, and the adjournment to 16 October.

    accused, James Sharkey, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Sharkey