Student who clocked 176kph in west Donegal fined for careless driving

A student caught driving at 176kph has had his charge reduced from dangerous driving to careless driving.

Michael Boyle appeared at Letterkenny District Court. The 26-year-old was stopped by Gardai while speeding at 176kph (109.3mph) in a 100kph (60mph) zone at Meenlecknalore, Dungloe, on August 4.

Boyle was arrested and taken to Milford Garda Station where he was charged with Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act (dangerous driving). Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher said his client was a mature student who had no previous convictions.

Mr Gallagher said he was asking the court to consider a reduced charge of Section 52 careless driving. He said that Boyle, with an address at Quay Road, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, had no passengers in the car, had no intoxicants in his system, there were no other road users in the area and was "coming onto a straight."

He said the car his client was driving, a Volkswagen Golf R, belonged to Boyle's brother.

"His parents are not happy with him and his brother is extremely annoyed," said Mr Gallagher. Having listened to the plea, Judge Ciaran Liddy reduced the charge to Section 52 careless driving. He fined Boyle €200.