Friday 30 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. 13442Dangerous driving · Co. Monaghan · 31 Jul 2023

Driver who followed fatal crash car given suspended sentence for speeding

Alin Sorin Gatea, 46, of Clones, Co Monaghan, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after being found speeding on the N54 while following the car that later crashed at Legnakelly. He was given an 18-month suspended sentence and disqualified from driving for four years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGatea pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe speeding was on the N54 between a service station and the New Line junction. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on 31 July 2023. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe speeds were close to or double the 60km/h and 80km/h limits on the road. (rte.ie)
  • investigationForensic examinations and examination of dash-cam footage were carried out. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGatea was found to have been travelling at between 145km/h and 151km/h. (rte.ie)
  • investigationDash-cam footage showed Gatea's car travelling at speed before the fatal collision. (rte.ie)
  • chargeGatea faced five counts of dangerous driving at various locations. (rte.ie)
  • courtGatea voluntarily handed in the dash-cam footage. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceGatea was given an 18-month suspended sentence. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceGatea received three separate six-month suspended sentences for different dangerous driving episodes. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences run consecutively and were suspended for two years. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceGatea was disqualified from driving for four years. (rte.ie)
  • otherGatea was driving his 19-year-old son and his son's debs partner to the Westenra Arms Hotel. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jun2025
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Suspended sentence for driver travelling up to 151km/h

    Sentencing of Gatea, the driver found speeding behind the car driven by Anthony McGinn, on five counts of dangerous driving between Clones and Monaghan on 31 July 2023. This is a separate case from McGinn's own prosecution.

    convicted, Alin Sorin Gatea, 46, male, namedAlin Sorin Gatea