A 21-year-old man could face prison after a high-speed 18km chase through narrow Letterkenny roads.
Sparks flew when a car became airborne during the pursuit involving a Corsa being driven by John McKelvey, of Correnagh, Letterkenny on January 25, 2017.
At 2.58am, Garda Kilcoyne was operating a static speed checkpoint at Dromore when he detected McKelvey driving at 147km/h in a 100km zone.
Letterkenny District Court heard how McKelvey ‘didn’t slow down or make an attempt to stop’.
Gardaí pursued McKelvey, who made a left turn towards Lurgybrack and then an immediate right onto Bonagee Lane.
“He was traveling at 115km as we approached a humpback bridge,” Garda Kilcoyne said.
“The vehicle became airborne and there were a large amount of sparks.”
After manoeuvring back onto the Port Road and back towards Lurgybrack, McKelvey turned left towards Dromore.
Garda Kilcoyne said: “He was traveling at approximately 110-120km/h. I followed along the road at he turned right, a narrow, single lane road that would lead to the top of Lurgybrack. He was going at 115 plus and I decided that it was unsafe to continue.”
A short time later, Garda Kilcoyne saw the vehicle, a black 10-DL Corsa, coming to a stop when it crashed into a ditch. McKelvey was arrested at 3.11am.
McKelvey, who was accompanied by family members in court, has since moved away from Donegal and is living and working in Wexford.
The family, the court heard, were ’very thankful to still have their son’ following the incident.
“It was lunacy what happened,” said McKelvey’s solicitor, Patsy Gallagher, who handed in a number of references for his client.
“He can’t give an explanation except that something happened in his own head.
“It was an almost-fatal mistake. He understands that it could have been fatal and what he did was stupid. He saw the blue lights and he panicked.
“He is very well aware of what could have happened.”
Garda Kilcoyne said that McKelvey later came in to apologise for the incident.
The solicitor pleaded with the judge to show leniency.
He said: “He has had this hanging over him for nine months. He has been a recluse since then.
“He wants to repay society for what he has done. What good will it do to imprison this young man? Give him an opportunity.”
Judge Paul Kelly said that the case ‘undoubtedly’ warranted a custodial sentence.
He said: “It is hard to see anything other than a custodial sentence. I take into account the plea and he has put his hands up. I am giving an opportunity to see if a custodial sentence can be avoided, but I am making no promises.
“You behaviour between now and the next time will be of significance.”
The case was adjourned to December 7.