John Sweeney, 21, was disqualified from driving for six months. Pic by North-West Newspix.
COURTS: A man who drove down a busy Main Street in Donegal in the wrong direction – and who crashed into another vehicle has been disqualified from driving for six years.
John Sweeney, 21, with an address at 6 Ashfield Park, Letterkenny appeared at Buncrana District Court yesterday morning.
Mr Sweeney is currently serving a sentence in Castelrea Prison for a string of burglaries and thefts that he carried out over a lengthy period of time.
However, he travelled from Castlerea Prison yesterday morning in relation to offences which occurred whilst he was on bail on November 19th, 2015.
The court heard how Mr Sweeney had stolen a vehicle from a housing estate in Buncrana, and then proceeded to drive it in the wrong direction down Buncrana Main Street.
The defendant caused a traffic collision when he smashed into another vehicle outside the Supervalu store on the Cockhill Road.
Mr Sweeney pleaded guilty to all charges before him.
Inspector Michael Harrison told the court, “Gardaí were called to a traffic collision outside Supervalu on the Cockhill Road, Buncrana on November 19th last year.
“When Gardaí arrived, witnesses said the driver of the vehicle who caused the smash had absconded and headed into the nearby Supervalu car park.
“Gardaí apprehended the defendant and he admitted to us that he was driving the vehicle and that he had stolen it – after he accessed the key from a property in a nearby housing estate.
“He told Gardaí ‘I just want to get everything over and done with’.”
The court heard how Mr Sweeney had been co-operative with Gardaí when charged with these offences, but also heard that the stolen vehicle going into limp mode reduced the chance of serious injury when he collided with the other vehicle.
“The defendant was co-operative with Garda Kenny and Garda McHugh – he admitted stealing the vehicle and causing the smash.
“The car went into ‘limp mode’, basically there was a pre existing problem with the car, it’s to do with catalytic convertor, emissions issues which meant the car wasn’t able to go faster than 50km/hr.
“It’s a function in modern cars and the term used to describe it is ‘limp mode’.
Solicitor for the defendant Patsy Gallagher told the court his client was making genuine efforts to rebuild his life, and wants to make a future for himself, his partner and their young child when he gets released from prison.
Mr Gallagher addressed the court, “My client is 21, has been in a long-term relationship and has a small child.
“This incident was the final straw, he realised he had to get help or otherwise he’d end up dead – it couldn’t go on any longer.
“He has had a really difficult upbringing, and started drinking alcohol at 12, and dabbling with stronger substances shortly after that.
“He has no formal education and left school at a very young age, but he’s currently doing a Maths, Computers and ECDL course in prison and is desperately trying to turn his life around.
“He’s seen the errors of his ways, and fully accepts his behaviour was unacceptable.”
The court heard that the defendant had been partying in Letterkenny and travelled with friends to Buncrana to another house to continue the party.
It was then Mr Sweeney left the house and was went to a nearby house, the doors were unlocked and he took car keys that were sitting on the window inside.
The court also heard of his long history of previous convictions for these type of offences in the past.
His solicitor pleaded for a suspended sentence stating that his client wants to put the past behind him, and start fresh.
He added that his attempts to rehabilitate himself in prison were genuine and that he’s doing very well.
Mr Gallagher said, “My client is due to be released from prison on December 10th, 2016.
“I’d ask the court to let him rebuild his life now, and if any sentence is given, that it may be suspended in order to give Mr Sweeney that opportunity.
Judge Paul Kelly said, “I’m glad to hear he has begun courses – and I hope it benefits him, I really do.
“However, these offences are very, very serious, and he committed these offences whilst on bail for other serious charges.
Judge Paul Kelly disqualified the defendant from driving for six years, and sentenced him to six months consecutive for theft, and three months for dangerous driving consecutive to previous.
Section 4 was three months concurrent with the other two sentences passed.
Mr Sweeney was returned to Castlerea Prison and was led out of the courts in handcuffs.