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. 17649Dangerous driving · Co. Donegal · 9 Jul 2023

Newmills man banned for two years after dangerous driving in Letterkenny

On 9 July 2023 at about 12.55am, Darren Hegarty, a 35-year-old man, was allegedly driving the wrong way along Pearse Road in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, when he sped off from gardaí and his car collided with another vehicle at the Oldtown Roundabout. Hegarty was arrested and questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station on 31 July and charged with dangerous driving under Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. The judge adjourned the matter until 8 July for a probation and welfare report. Hegarty was later fined €200 and banned from driving for two years at Letterkenny District Court, as reported in April 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • When Hegarty saw gardaí, he sped off the wrong way along Pearse Road and drove at speed towards Oldtown.
  • At the Oldtown Roundabout his car collided with another vehicle, and he then sped off.
Where
The incident took place on Pearse Road in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
When
On 9 July 2023 at 12.55am, gardaí on patrol noticed a parked Volkswagen Passat with one man inside.
Investigation
  • Gardaí ran an ANPR check on the car and found it did not have a current NCT.
  • Hegarty was arrested and questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station on 31 July.
Other details
  • During interview it emerged that Hegarty did not have a licence and was not insured to drive the car.
  • The other car suffered slight damage, and Hegarty was prepared to pay for it.
  • The court was told Hegarty had previous road traffic convictions dating back to 2008.
Charges
Hegarty was charged with dangerous driving at Pearse Road, Letterkenny, under Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
In court
  • The judge adjourned the rest of the matter until 8 July to allow a probation and welfare report to be compiled.
  • Hegarty appeared before Letterkenny District Court on a number of charges, reported in April 2024.
Sentence
Hegarty was fined €200 and banned from driving for two years on the dangerous driving charge.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWhen the driver saw gardaí, he sped off the wrong way along Pearse Road and drove at speed towards Oldtown. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatAt the Oldtown Roundabout the car collided with another vehicle and then sped off. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place on Pearse Road in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí were on patrol at 12.55am when they noticed a parked Volkswagen Passat. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí ran an ANPR check on the car and found it did not have a current NCT. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationHegarty was arrested and questioned at Letterkenny Garda Station on July 31. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHegarty was charged with dangerous driving on 9 July 2023 at Pearse Road, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charge was brought under Section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the rest of the matter until 8 July to allow a probation and welfare report to be compiled. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtHegarty appeared before Letterkenny District Court and was handed a two-year driving ban. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceHegarty was fined €200 and banned from driving for two years on the dangerous driving charge. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherDuring interview, it emerged that Hegarty did not have a licence and was not insured to drive the car. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe court was told Hegarty had previous road traffic convictions dating back to 2008. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe other car suffered slight damage, and Hegarty was prepared to pay for it. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Apr2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Ban for Newmills man who drove on wrong side of road and crashed during Garda pursuit

    Court report of the sentencing: the €200 fine, the two-year ban, the other charges and the adjourned matter. The incident date is taken from the charge as stated in the article.

    convicted, Darren Hegarty, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Hegarty