Letterkenny man (21) remanded in custody after speeding BMW mounts footpath

Two elderly people had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit after a BMW being driven by a Letterkenny man mounted a footpath.

Jake Barrett, who hit speeds of up to 135km/h, has been remanded in custody following a court appearance.

It followed a series of dangerous driving manoeuvres by Barrett in a 5 Series BMW as he raced across Letterkenny on May 9 at 3.20pm.

Barrett appeared at Letterkenny District Court after Gardai launched a manhunt for him.

Gardai spotted the 21-year-old from Ashlawn, Letterkenny in the car just days after he was released on bail for driving offences.

Barrett fled and undertook a series of dangerous driving manoeuvres at Ballyraine Road, De Valera Road, The Glebe, Loughnagin and Roughpark.

Garda Elaine Kavanagh gave details of all the incidents when Barrett, a carer for his grandmother, appeared at Letterkenny Courthouse.

Garda Kavanagh told how Barrett drove at 120kph in a 50kph zone on the wrong side of De Valera Road.

He reached a speed of 130kph in a 50kph zone while passing by Ballyraine National School before colliding briefly with a chemical lorry.

He then forced two elderly people to jump out of the way as his speeding BMW mounted a footpath.

Other drivers then had to take evasive action as he took a blind right bend on the wrong side of the road as his car crossed the centre hatched lines.

Barrett was later arrested and charged with five counts of dangerous driving and five counts of having no insurance.

Garda Kavanagh said that Gardai were objecting to any application for Barrett to be released on bail.

She added that if released, the accused will "hurt or kill" members of the public.

The accused man's solicitor, Ms Margaret Mary Sheridan, said her client has been going through a difficult personal life and that he was a carer for his grandmother and that she is dependent on him.

Ms Sheridan said her client was also willing to hand in his license, sign on daily at a local Garda station, enter a bond of €500 and also hand in his passport.

Ms Sheridan added that her client only now understands the seriousness of the offences.

Having considered the applications, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said she accepted the seriousness of the offence and that the accused had tried to evade justice and refused bail.

She adjourned all matters to May 20 for the accused to appear by video link.