Ireland Case No. 15186Endangerment and dangerous driving · Co. Donegal · 25 Dec 2022
Man jailed over Christmas Day pursuit and dangerous driving in Bundoran
On 25 December 2022, John Martin Ward, a 43-year-old man from Cuirt Cora, Tuam, Co Galway, led gardaí on a high-speed pursuit around Bundoran, Co Donegal, while serving a 20-year driving ban. Evidence was given that he swerved towards a Garda patrol car. On 11 December 2024 he pleaded guilty at Donegal Circuit Court to endangerment and dangerous driving, and Judge John Aylmer remanded him for sentence. On 16 December 2024 he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, backdated to February 2024, with 12 months of good behaviour and alcohol abstinence conditions after release.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted11 Dec
- Sentenced16 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- When
- The pursuit took place on Christmas Day, 25 December 2022.
- Where
- The incident took place around Bundoran in Co Donegal, and the dangerous driving charge relates to Ardfarna, Bundoran.
- Other details
- The man, John Martin Ward, is 43 and is of Cuirt Cora, Tuam, Co Galway.
- What happened
- Ward was serving a 20-year driving ban at the time and drove a Toyota Avensis.
- Evidence was given that Ward made two u-turns while speeding away from gardaí and swerved towards them when coming back in their direction.
- A disqualified driver waved at gardaí as he drove through a checkpoint during the pursuit.
- The Garda patrol car, driven by Garda Ronan Gallagher, had its full lights activated.
- Investigation
- Pursuing officers stopped the pursuit in the interest of public safety, and gardaí had to swerve their vehicles to avoid Ward.
- Charges
- Ward pleaded guilty to endangerment, contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, and to dangerous driving on the same occasion.
- In court
- Ward appeared at Donegal Circuit Court on 11 December 2024, where Judge John Aylmer remanded him for sentence later in the session.
- The judge reviewed a previous probation report before passing sentence, and Ward spoke only to confirm his guilty pleas.
- Sentence
- Ward was sentenced to a total of two years and eight months in prison, backdated to February 2024, when he went into custody on other charges.
- After release Ward must keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months, abstain completely from alcohol during that period, and be supervised by the Probation Service.
26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatWard drove a Toyota Avensis and swerved towards an official Garda patrol car. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe patrol car was being driven by Garda Ronan Gallagher with full lights activated. (donegallive.ie)
- whatA disqualified driver waved at gardaí as he drove through a checkpoint during a pursuit on Christmas Day. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWard was serving a 20-year driving ban at the time. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWard made two u-turns while speeding away from gardaí and swerved towards them when coming back in their direction. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place in Bundoran. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe dangerous driving charge relates to Ardfarna, Bundoran. (donegallive.ie)
- whereWard is of Cuirt Cora, Tuam, Co Galway. (donegallive.ie)
- whereWard led gardaí on a high-speed pursuit around Bundoran in Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on Christmas Day. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe pursuit took place on 25 December 2022. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationPursuing officers stopped the pursuit in the interest of public safety. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeWard pleaded guilty to endangerment, contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeWard also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on the same occasion. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeWard pleaded guilty to endangerment and to dangerous driving. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJohn Martin Ward appeared at Donegal Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to two charges. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge John Aylmer remanded Ward for sentence later in the court session. (donegallive.ie)
- courtWard appeared at Donegal Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to two separate charges. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge reviewed a previous probation report before passing sentence. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceWard was sentenced to a total of two years and eight months in prison. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence is backdated to February 2024, when Ward went into custody on other charges. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceWard must keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months after release and abstain completely from alcohol during that period. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceWard will be supervised by the Probation Service after release. (donegallive.ie)
- otherWard spoke only to confirm his guilty pleas. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHis barrister said Ward wanted the matters dealt with as quickly as possible. (donegallive.ie)
- otherGardaí had to swerve their vehicles to avoid Ward, who was travelling towards them in a Toyota Avensis. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Dec2024Man who swerved car at Gardai in Christmas Day chase in Bundoran is jailed
Reports the sentencing of John Martin Ward at Donegal Circuit Court, including the sentence length, backdating, probation conditions and the court's remarks.
convicted, John Martin Ward, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Martin Ward - 11 Dec2024Man admits endangering Garda in Bundoran on Christmas Day
Reports the guilty pleas to endangerment and dangerous driving at Donegal Circuit Court and that sentence was adjourned to later in the session. Adds the charge wording, the Garda patrol car involved and the court details.
convicted, John Martin Ward, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Martin Ward