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. 13663Drink driving and dangerous driving · Co. Donegal · 2 Feb 2025

Falcarragh man fined and banned after drink-driving and dangerous driving at checkpoint

On the night of 2 February 2025, Richard Doherty of Falcarragh, County Donegal, allegedly drove a red BMW through a Garda checkpoint on Main Street, Falcarragh, narrowly missing two gardaí who had tried to stop it. He was later stopped and arrested, and was charged with drink-driving under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 and dangerous driving under section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. At Falcarragh District Court on 22 May 2025, he was disqualified for three years and fined €200 on the drink-driving charge, and was fined €250 with a two-year driving ban marked on the dangerous driving charge. He was also ordered to complete the Pro Social course and pay a €250 contribution.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two gardaí tried to stop a red BMW, and the vehicle failed to stop and narrowly missed them.
Where
The driver went through a Garda checkpoint on Main Street, Falcarragh, County Donegal.
When
The incident happened on the night of 2 February 2025.
Investigation
Richard Doherty was later stopped and arrested.
Charges
  • Doherty was charged with drink-driving under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2010.
  • Doherty was charged with dangerous driving under section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
In court
The case was heard at Falcarragh District Court, where the sentencing report was published on 22 May 2025.
Sentence
  • On the drink-driving charge, Doherty was disqualified for three years and fined €200.
  • On the dangerous driving charge, Doherty was fined €250 and a two-year driving ban was marked.
  • Doherty was ordered to complete the Pro Social course and pay a €250 contribution.
Other details
  • A breath test showed 72 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml, where the legal limit is 22.
  • Doherty's solicitor said he thought the gardaí were waving at him and waved back.
  • Doherty went to a garda station the next day to apologise.
  • Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said Doherty was very lucky that he did not kill or injure any of the officers.
  • Doherty is the sole carer for his father.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo gardaí tried to stop a red BMW. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe vehicle failed to stop and narrowly missed the gardaí. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereDoherty drove through a checkpoint on Main Street, Falcarragh. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on the night of 2 February 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationDoherty was eventually stopped and arrested. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeDoherty was charged with drink-driving under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2010. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeDoherty was charged with dangerous driving under section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceOn the drink-driving charge, Doherty was disqualified for three years and fined €200. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceOn the dangerous driving charge, Doherty was fined €250 and a two-year driving ban was marked. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceDoherty was ordered to complete the Pro Social course and pay a €250 contribution. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherA breath test showed 72 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml, where the legal limit is 22. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherDoherty's solicitor said he thought the gardaí were waving at him and waved back. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherDoherty went to a garda station the next day to apologise. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherDoherty is the sole carer for his father. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 May2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Gardai ‘very lucky’ after Falcarragh drunk-driver sped through checkpoint

    Court report of sentencing at Falcarragh District Court. Adds the breath test result, the charges under the Road Traffic Acts, the sentences, the solicitor's account of the incident and mitigation, and the judge's comment that the driver was lucky no one was hurt. This is a different incident from case 13351, which concerns a seatbelt charge against a different Richard Doherty aged 70.

    convicted, Richard Doherty, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Doherty