Sunday 1 November 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. 7279Dangerous driving · Co. Cork · 11 Feb 2023

Donovan Leitch sentenced for dangerous driving in Skibbereen

Scottish-born singer Donovan Leitch, 77, was reported by a fellow motorist for driving erratically at Aghills in Skibbereen, west Cork, on 11 February 2023, after attending a pre-recorded RTÉ show. He was arrested at 8.30pm and charged with dangerous driving, being drunk in charge of a vehicle, and failing to provide a breath sample. At Skibbereen District Court, Judge James McNulty convicted him of dangerous driving on 24 October 2023, dismissed the breath-sample charge, and reserved judgment on the drink-driving charge. On 13 February 2024, he was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for two years, while the drunk-in-charge charge was dismissed as not proven.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Mar
  5. Convicted24 Oct
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced13 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Donovan Leitch was charged with dangerous driving at Smorane, Skibbereen, being drunk in charge of a vehicle at Aghills, Skibbereen, and failing to provide a breath sample at Bantry Garda Station.
Where
The incident took place in Skibbereen, west Cork.
When
The offence took place on 11 February 2023.
Investigation
  • A fellow motorist reported the driver to gardaí after he repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road, and gardaí noted a smell of alcohol when they stopped him.
  • Garda Quinlan arrested Leitch at 8.30pm on suspicion of drunk driving.
In court
  • The case was heard at Skibbereen District Court before Judge James McNulty, with a first appearance on 28 March 2023 and a conviction on 24 October 2023.
  • The judge dismissed the charge of failing to provide a breath sample and reserved judgment on the drunk-in-charge charge.
Sentence
  • On 13 February 2024, Leitch was fined €500 with 90 days to pay and disqualified from driving for two years.
  • The drunk-in-charge charge was dismissed as not proven.
Other details
  • Leitch, described as Scottish-born, has lived in Ireland for many years and had an address at Castlemagner, Kanturk, Co Cork.
  • The incident occurred on the same day he appeared on a pre-recorded episode of the Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ One.
37 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDonovan Leitch was charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle at Aghills in Skibbereen on 11 February 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was also charged with failing to provide a sample to gardaí at Bantry Garda Station on the same date. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDonovan was found guilty of dangerous driving. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe conviction was for an offence in Skibbereen, west Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereOne charge concerned dangerous driving at Smorane, Skibbereen. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident took place at Aghills in Skibbereen. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on 11 February 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe driving took place on 11 February 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident took place on 11 February 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí received a call about a car being driven erratically and went to the area where it was parked. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGarda Quinlan arrested Mr Leitch on suspicion of drunk driving. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA fellow motorist reported the driver to gardaí after he repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe garda arrested him at 8.30pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA passenger contacted gardaí after seeing the car cross the white line back and forth. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí noted a smell of alcohol when they stopped Leitch. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeA charge of failing to provide an intoxilyser sample was dismissed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe judge reserved his decision on a charge of being drunk in charge of a vehicle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe faced three driving-related charges at Skibbereen District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Skibbereen District Court before Judge James McNulty on 28 March 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge McNulty adjourned the matter until 9 May. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge McNulty found Mr Leitch guilty of dangerous driving. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe drink-driving judgment was deferred to 13 February 2024 at Skibbereen District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge struck out the charge of failing to give a breath sample. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge convicted him of dangerous driving and adjourned the penalty. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge reserved judgment on the charge of attempting to drive while under the influence of an intoxicant. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to Skibbereen District Court on 13 February. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe drunk-in-charge charge was dismissed as not proven. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe court heard Donovan had no previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtEarlier, the judge had convicted Leitch of dangerous driving and dismissed a charge of failing to provide a breath sample. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceSentence on the dangerous driving charge will be imposed at a later date. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceDonovan was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for two years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe fine was €500, with 90 days to pay. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe incident occurred on the same day he appeared on a pre-recorded episode of the Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ One. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDonovan Leitch has lived in Ireland for many years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe is described as Scottish-born. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLeitch had an address at Castlemagner, Kanturk, Co Cork. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Feb2024
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Musician Donovan fined €500 and disqualified from driving for two years for dangerous driving

    Adds the sentence: €500 fine with 90 days to pay, two-year driving disqualification, and dismissal of the drunk-in-charge charge. Confirms the incident was at Aghills in Skibbereen on 11 February 2023.

    convicted, Donovan Leitch, 77, male, Scottish, named, non-irishDonovan Leitch
  2. 24 Oct2023
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Singer Donovan convicted of dangerous driving in west Cork

    First report of the conviction for dangerous driving; the penalty is adjourned to a later date and the breath sample charge was struck out.

    convicted, Donovan Leitch, 77, male, namedDonovan Leitch
  3. 24 Oct2023
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Sixties folk legend Donovan convicted of dangerous driving charge in west Cork

    Reports the conviction for dangerous driving, the dismissal of the intoxilyser charge, and the deferred judgment on the drink-driving charge and sentencing date.

    convicted, Donovan Leitch, 77, male, Scottish, named, non-irishDonovan Leitch
  4. 28 Mar2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Donovan before west Cork court for failing to provide sample to gardaí

    Details the specific charges (Section 5.1 and Section 12.2 of the Road Traffic Act), the court appearance on 28 March 2023, the adjournment to 9 May, and the note that additional charges are to be preferred. Also notes the incident coincided with a pre-recorded RTÉ appearance.

    accused, Donovan Leitch, 76, male, Scottish, named, non-irishDonovan Leitch