Ireland Larry McCarthy fined for dangerous driving after Letterkenny pursuit
On 15 December 2023 in Letterkenny, County Donegal, 46-year-old Larry McCarthy led gardai on a high-speed pursuit through back roads with his lights off, and the car continued at over 100km/h on an 80km/h road after the blue lights were activated. Gardaí lost sight of the car before it stopped and McCarthy was arrested, and he was charged with two counts of dangerous driving. He appeared at Letterkenny District Court by video link from prison, where a plea to careless driving on a full facts basis was accepted. Reports published on 17 June 2024 say he was convicted of dangerous driving and fined €300, which is the latest reported development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Jun
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Larry McCarthy led gardai on a high-speed pursuit through back roads in County Donegal with his lights off.
- The car continued at over 100km/h on a road with an 80km/h limit after gardaí activated the blue lights.
- Where
- The incident took place on Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, County Donegal, where gardaí followed a grey Volkswagen Passat.
- When
- The incident happened at about 3.55am on 15 December 2023.
- Investigation
- Gardaí lost sight of the car, which later stopped, and the driver was arrested.
- A roadside test at Letterkenny Garda Station showed alcohol under the limit.
- Charges
- McCarthy was charged with two counts of dangerous driving.
- A plea to careless driving on a full facts basis was accepted, and reports also state he was convicted of dangerous driving.
- In court
- McCarthy appeared at Letterkenny District Court by video link from prison, as reported on 17 June 2024.
- Sentence
- McCarthy was fined €300.
- Other details
- McCarthy was already serving a six-and-a-half year sentence in Portlaoise Prison, for an earlier offence unrelated to this incident.
23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMcCarthy led gardaí on a high-speed pursuit through back roads in Co Donegal with his lights off. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatMcCarthy continued at speeds over 100km/h on a road with an 80km/h limit after gardaí activated the blue lights. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe pursuit took place through back roads in Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whereGardaí followed a grey Volkswagen Passat on Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, at 3.55am. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place in Letterkenny, County Donegal. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereGardaí followed the car at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe incident happened in Letterkenny on 15 December 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on December 15, 2023. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationThe car was lost from sight, then stopped and the driver arrested. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí initially lost sight of the car before stopping and arresting McCarthy. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationMcCarthy was under the limit for alcohol when tested at Letterkenny Garda Station. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeMcCarthy was charged with two counts of dangerous driving. (donegallive.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe court accepted a plea to the lesser charge of careless driving on a full facts basis. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtMcCarthy appeared at Letterkenny District Court by video link from prison. (donegallive.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe court accepted a plea to careless driving on a full facts basis. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge convicted McCarthy of dangerous driving and fined him €300. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceJudge Éiteáin Cunningham convicted McCarthy of dangerous driving and fined him €300. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe car veered over a continuous white line past a graveyard on the outskirts of town. (donegallive.ie)
- otherGardaí activated the blue lights, but the car continued at over 100km/h on a road with an 80km/h limit. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe driver turned off the car's lights during the chase. (donegallive.ie)
- otherA roadside test at Letterkenny Garda Station showed alcohol under the limit. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMcCarthy was already serving a six-and-a-half year prison sentence in Portlaoise Prison. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMcCarthy is 46 years old and lives in Manorcunningham, County Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jun2024Former Limerick gang boss fined after leading gardai on high-speed chase in Co Donegal
Reports the court outcome: McCarthy was convicted of dangerous driving and fined €300 after a plea to careless driving was accepted. Adds the pursuit details, the court appearance by video link from prison and his background as a leader of the McCarthy-Dundon gang.
convicted, Larry McCarthy, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry McCarthy - 17 Jun2024Former gang boss fined after leading gardai on high-speed chase in Letterkenny
Court report on a Letterkenny pursuit from 15 December 2023. Sets out the plea to careless driving, the two dangerous driving charges, the €300 fine and McCarthy's custody status. Some background on his earlier getaway-car conviction is included but does not relate to this incident.
convicted, Larry McCarthy, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Larry McCarthy