Thursday 29 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. 7782Criminal damage · Co. Donegal

Man to stand trial over alleged damage to rally car before Donegal race

In June 2022, rally driver Richard Hall's Ford Escort was allegedly interfered with before the historics race at the Donegal International Rally. John Crothers (62) was previously charged at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court with damaging the car, and the case was adjourned so forensic officers could examine snips or shears that gardaí suspected were used to cut wires on it. At a hearing reported on 25 July 2023, the DPP directed that Crothers stand trial before a judge and jury at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, and the case was adjourned to 25 September for a book of evidence to be prepared for the October sittings. Crothers has been released on bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man is to stand trial charged with causing criminal damage to a rally car belonging to a competitor.
Where
The rally car was at the Donegal International Rally, where it was due to take part in the historics section.
When
The alleged interference happened in June 2022, before the race Mr Hall was due to take part in.
Weapon
Gardaí suspected snips or shears were used to cut wires on Mr Hall's car.
Investigation
The case was adjourned to allow forensic officers to examine the snips or shears.
Charges
  • Crothers was previously charged at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court with damaging the car of rally driver Richard Hall.
  • Crothers is accused of cutting the fuel pump switch, fan switch, three wires to the rev limiter and the safety switch on Mr Hall's Ford Escort, intending to damage it or being reckless as to whether it would be damaged.
  • Crothers is charged with making a threat intending that Mr Hall would believe it would be carried out, to damage the Ford Escort.
  • Crothers is charged with interfering without lawful authority or reasonable cause with the mechanism of a stationary mechanically propelled vehicle belonging to Mr Hall.
In court
  • Gda Sgt Jim Collins told the court that the DPP had directed the case be heard on indictment.
  • The DPP decided Crothers should stand trial before a judge and jury at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.
  • Judge Eiteain Cunningham adjourned the case until September 25th to allow time for a book of evidence to be prepared for the October sittings of Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Other details
  • Richard Hall is a rally driver whose Ford Escort was allegedly interfered with.
  • The accused is of Ballynashee Road, Glenwherry, Ballymena, Co Antrim.
  • Crothers has been released on bail.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man is to stand trial charged with causing criminal damage to a rally car belonging to a competitor. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe rally car was at the Donegal International Rally. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr Hall was due to take part in the historics section of the rally in June, 2022, and his car was allegedly interfered with before the race. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe case was adjourned to allow forensic officers to examine snips or shears that gardaí suspected were used to cut wires on Mr Hall's car. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCrothers was previously charged at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court with damaging the car of rally driver Richard Hall. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCrothers is accused of cutting the fuel pump switch, fan switch, three wires to the rev limiter and the safety switch of Mr Hall's Ford Escort, intending to damage it or being reckless as to whether it would be damaged. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCrothers is charged with making a threat intending that Mr Hall would believe it would be carried out, to damage the Ford Escort rally car. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCrothers is charged with interfering without lawful authority or reasonable cause with the mechanism of a stationary mechanically propelled vehicle belonging to Mr Hall. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGda Sgt Jim Collins told the court that the DPP had directed the case be heard on indictment. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP decided Crothers should stand trial before a judge and jury at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Eiteain Cunningham adjourned the case until September 25th to allow time for a book of evidence to be prepared for the October sittings of Letterkenny Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused is of Ballynashee Road, Glenwherry, Ballymena, Co Antrim, and faces three charges. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCrothers had been released on bail. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jul2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man to stand trial charged with causing criminal damage to rally car before Donegal race

    First report on this case. Adds the three charges, the threat charge, the DPP decision to try the case on indictment, the adjournment to September 25th and the bail status of the accused.

    accused, John Crothers, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Crothersvictim, Richard Hall, male, irish (judged from name)Richard Hall