Ireland Shane Sharkey convicted of dangerous driving in Dundalk
On 25 February 2024 on the Clermont Road, Haggardstown, Dundalk, County Louth, a Garda Armed Support Unit member saw 23-year-old Shane Sharkey of Clooneevan, Haggardstown, performing a number of 'donuts' on the R132. He failed to provide a roadside breath test to a uniformed garda called to the scene, was arrested and taken to Dundalk Garda Station, where he gave a breath specimen reading just over eight times the limit for a specified driver. After a contested hearing at Dundalk District Court, Judge Nicola Andrews convicted him of dangerous driving and dismissed the drink driving, breath requirement, insurance and learner driver summonses. He was fined €2,000, ordered to do 60 hours of community service in lieu of a two-month sentence, and disqualified from driving for two years, with the latest development being this conviction and sentence reported on 2 June 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced2 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A Garda Armed Support Unit member saw the driver performing a number of 'donuts' on the R132.
- Where
- The dangerous driving took place on the Clermont Road, Haggardstown, Dundalk, County Louth.
- When
- The dangerous driving took place on 25 February 2024.
- Other details
- The suspect is Shane Sharkey, a 23-year-old man of Clooneevan, Haggardstown, Dundalk.
- He had no previous convictions, and the judge said the driving could have led to loss of life and that he acted recklessly.
- Investigation
- The driver failed to provide a roadside breath test to a uniformed garda called to the scene.
- The driver was arrested and taken to Dundalk Garda Station, where he gave a breath specimen.
- The breath specimen reading was just over eight times the limit for a specified driver.
- Charges
- He faced a dangerous driving charge and other road traffic summonses for drink driving, breath requirement, insurance and learner driver offences.
- In court
- At a contested hearing at Dundalk District Court, Judge Nicola Andrews convicted him of dangerous driving.
- Judge Nicola Andrews dismissed the drink driving, breath requirement, insurance and learner driver summonses.
- The judge said she would refer him to the Probation Service for a community service order.
- Sentence
- He was fined €2,000 and ordered to do 60 hours of community service in lieu of a two-month sentence.
- He was disqualified from driving for two years.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Garda Armed Support Unit member saw the driver doing a number of donuts on the R132. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe dangerous driving took place on the Clermont Road, Haggardstown. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe dangerous driving took place on February 25th 2024. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationThe driver was arrested and taken to Dundalk Garda Station, where he gave a breath specimen. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationThe breath specimen reading was just over eight times the limit for a specified driver. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtJudge Nicola Andrews dismissed the drink driving, breath requirement, insurance and learner driver summonses. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe judge convicted the driver of dangerous driving. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe judge said she would refer the driver to the Probation Service for a community service order. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe driver was fined €2,000 with 60 hours of community service in lieu of a two-month sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe driver was disqualified from driving for two years. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe driver failed to provide a roadside breath test. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe driver had no previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe judge said the driving could have led to loss of life and that the driver had acted recklessly. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Jun2026Man caught doing 'donuts' in Louth convicted of dangerous driving
Court report on the conviction and sentence. It gives the court outcome, the €2,000 fine, the 60 hours of community service, the two-year driving ban, and the dismissed summonses. It also gives the roadside breath test and arrest details.
convicted, Shane Sharkey, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Sharkey