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. 11031Dangerous driving · Co. Kildare · 25 Mar 2025

Driver disqualified and fined after garda pursuit at 144 km/h in Kildare

On March 25, 2025, at around 7pm at Derrycrib, Donadea, County Kildare, a garda pursued a driver with lights and siren activated, reaching up to 144 km/h after the driver was detected at 115 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. The suspect is James Hickey, a 26-year-old man whose address was given as Ballinakill, Edenderry. He was prosecuted for dangerous driving and, at Naas District Court, was given a two-year driving disqualification and fined €750, as reported on February 12, 2026. That report is the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A garda drove at up to 144 km/h in pursuit of the driver, with lights and siren activated on a marked garda car.
  • The driver was detected driving at 115 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.
  • At times the vehicle was barely in sight during the pursuit, according to Sgt Ruth Coleman.
  • The driver eventually stopped the vehicle.
Where
The incident took place at Derrycrib, Donadea, County Kildare, on country roads and at a junction.
When
The incident occurred on March 25, 2025, at around 7pm.
Other details
  • James Hickey, a man aged 26, had an address given as Ballinakill, Edenderry.
  • The defence said road conditions were good, traffic volumes were light, the car had no defects, and the defendant regrets the incident.
Charges
James Hickey was prosecuted for dangerous driving.
In court
James Hickey was prosecuted at Naas District Court, with the sentence reported on February 12, 2026.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed a two-year driving disqualification.
  • The defendant was fined €750.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA garda drove at up to 144 km/h in pursuit of the driver. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe defendant was detected driving at 115 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe garda was pursuing with lights and siren activated on a marked garda car. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe vehicle was at times barely in sight during the pursuit. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe defendant eventually stopped the vehicle. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe incident took place at Derrycrib, Donadea. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe driving took place on country roads and at a junction. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on March 25, 2025. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe incident took place at around 7pm. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeHickey was prosecuted for dangerous driving. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJames Hickey was prosecuted at Naas District Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a two-year driving disqualification. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe defendant was fined €750. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherDefence said road conditions were good, traffic volumes were light and the car had no defects. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherDefence said the defendant regrets the incident. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Feb2026
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, first report
    Garda drove at 144 km/h in pursuit of driver in Kildare

    Court report of a sentencing at Naas District Court. Adds the garda pursuit speed, the defendant's detected speed, the defence submissions and the sentence (two-year disqualification and €750 fine). No existing case matches this incident.

    convicted, James Hickey, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Hickey