Donegal man spared driving ban after 'fishtailing' car

A Lifford man has been fined in court after being caught performing a 'fishtail' manoeuvre over the weekend as he exited a venue where a diffing competition was taking place.

Rory McGrinder was spared a driving disqualification when he appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Sunday afternoon.

The 31-year-old, with an address at Curragh Lane, Lifford, was charged in relation to an incident at Monclink, Manorcunningham.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that, on June 22, 2024, gardai observed a vehicle being driven by McGrinder perform a fishtail manoeuvre. Gardai subsequently stopped the vehicle and McGrinder was described as being “fully co-operative and apologetic”.

Mr Patsy Gallagher, solicitor for McGrinder, said his client was exiting the diffing area and did not see an unmarked garda car in the vicinity.

“The zero tolerance worked perfectly over the weekend,” Mr Gallagher told the court, adding that McGrinder's family had travelled to “get him some dinner and get him home”.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham accepted a plea to a charge of careless driving. McGrinder was convicted and fined €150 with five months to pay.

Judge Cunningham said she would not disqualify McGrinder on this occasion.

Upon his arrest for the matter on Saturday evening, a bench warrant was discovered for McGrinder for a matter in Longford. The bench warrant was executed and the matter was adjourned until July 2, 2024.