Man fined after arrest for Micra burnouts in Letterkenny

A man has been fined in court after being observed by Gardai performing a handbrake turn and 'burnouts' in Letterkenny on Friday night.

Matthew Cook, a 20-year-old with an address at Raffrey Road, Crossgar, Downpatrick, was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Saturday afternoon.

Cook was arrested at 12.30am at Upper Main Street, Letterkenny for the offence of dangerous driving. Cook was charged when conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station. He made no reply after charge.

Cook had been spotted by a Garda performing a handbrake turn and burnouts in the vicinity of the Mount Errigal Hotel at 11.59pm and was apprehended a short time later.

Mr Patsy Gallagher, representing Cook, said his client was 'deeply embarrassed'.

“This has been a salutary experience for him, being in the cell with all the commotion and crowd management that is happening this weekend,” Mr Gallagher said.

Mr Gallagher said Cook was driving a 1.1 Nissan Micra and the version of his clients manoeuvres 'sounds a bit much'.

Sergeant Jim Collins accepted a plea of guilty to a lesser charge of careless driving.

Judge Ciaran Liddy fined Cook €250 for careless driving and was spared a driving disqualification.