Ireland Case No. 17249Dangerous driving; driving without insurance · Co. Donegal · 9 May 2024
Letterkenny man remanded in custody after dangerous driving across town
On 9 May 2024 in Letterkenny, County Donegal, a grey BMW was reported to have been driven dangerously across the town, mounting a footpath and forcing two elderly people to jump out of the way. Jake Barrett, a 21-year-old man, was later charged with five counts of dangerous driving and five counts of having no insurance, and gardaí had launched a search for the driver and appealed for witnesses and dash-cam footage. He appeared at Letterkenny District Court, where gardaí objected to bail and he was remanded in custody. The case was adjourned to 20 May 2024, when he is due to appear by video link.
- Reported9 May
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Multiple incidents of dangerous driving occurred in Letterkenny on a Thursday afternoon.
- A BMW mounted a footpath, forcing two elderly people to jump out of the way.
- The car was driven at 120kph in a 50kph zone on the wrong side of De Valera Road, and at 130kph in a 50kph zone, with one source giving speeds of up to 135km/h.
- The car collided briefly with a chemical lorry and crossed centre hatched lines on a blind right bend, forcing other drivers to take evasive action.
- Where
- The incidents took place in Circular Road, Ballyraine, Woodlands, Ballyraine Road and De Valera Road in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
- When
- The incidents took place on 9 May 2024, with sources giving the time as between about 2.20pm and 2.40pm and as 3.20pm.
- Other details
- Sources describe the car as a grey BMW 520 (2007-08 style) or a 5 Series BMW, with blacked out windows and registration plates, lowered suspension and extensive damage to the driver's side.
- Barrett had been released on bail for driving offences days before the incident.
- Investigation
- Gardaí launched a manhunt for the driver and asked witnesses and anyone with dash-cam footage, or information on the car's location, to contact Letterkenny Garda Station.
- Charges
- Jake Barrett was charged with five counts of dangerous driving and five counts of having no insurance.
- In court
- Barrett appeared at Letterkenny District Court, where gardaí objected to bail, saying he would hurt or kill members of the public if released.
- The defence said Barrett is a carer for his grandmother and offered bail conditions including surrendering his licence and passport.
- Barrett was remanded in custody, and the judge adjourned all matters to 20 May 2024 for him to appear by video link.
21 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMultiple incidents of dangerous driving occurred on Thursday afternoon in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe BMW mounted a footpath, forcing two elderly people to jump out of the way. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe accused drove at 120kph in a 50kph zone on the wrong side of De Valera Road. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe car reached 130kph in a 50kph zone and collided briefly with a chemical lorry. (donegallive.ie)
- whatOther drivers had to take evasive action after the car crossed the centre hatched lines on a blind right bend. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe incidents occurred in the areas of Circular Road, Ballyraine and Woodlands in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe driving took place across Letterkenny, including Ballyraine Road and De Valera Road. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incidents occurred between around 2.20pm and 2.40pm on 9 May 2024. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe dangerous driving took place on 9 May at 3.20pm. (donegallive.ie)
- causeThe accused carried out a series of dangerous driving manoeuvres in a BMW. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí asked anyone who witnessed the incidents or captured them on dash-cam footage to make contact. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí asked anyone with information on the car's current location to contact Letterkenny Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí launched a manhunt for the accused before he appeared in court. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe accused was charged with five counts of dangerous driving and five counts of having no insurance. (donegallive.ie)
- courtGardaí objected to bail, saying the accused would hurt or kill members of the public if released. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody following the court appearance. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned all matters to 20 May for the accused to appear by video link. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe car has blacked out windows, blacked out registration plates and has been lowered. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe car has extensive damage to the driver's side. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe accused was released on bail for driving offences days before the incident. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe defence solicitor said the accused is a carer for his grandmother and offered bail conditions including surrendering his licence and passport. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 May2024Letterkenny man (21) remanded in custody after speeding BMW mounts footpath
Reports the court appearance and remand in custody, the garda objection to bail, the charges, and the adjournment to 20 May 2024. The existing case 10935 concerns a different incident in September 2025 involving a different date and place.
accused, Jake Barrett, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Barrett - 9 May2024Garda appeal as blacked out BMW goes on dangerous driving spree in Letterkenny
Garda appeal issued on the day for a grey BMW, with the driver not yet identified. Gives the incidents as between about 2.20pm and 2.40pm in Circular Road, Ballyraine and Woodlands, whereas the existing case gives 3.20pm. Adds the vehicle description and the appeal details.