Student had dangerous driving charge reduced after completing driving course

A young man charged with dangerous driving for an incident in Bundoran has had the charge reduced to one of careless driving after completing the Pro Social Driving Course.

The course is designed to help drivers understand the consequences of their driving behaviour.

Ross Meenaghan, 23, of Ballymore, Attymass, Ballina, County Mayo, was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, October 4. He initially faced a charge of dangerous driving for a manoeuvre which included drifting, fishtailing and burning out tyres on the road at Atlantic Way, Bundoran on August 6, 2023. 

See also: Donegal Judge warns young man to complete Pro Social Driving Course

Solicitor Gerry McGovern reminded the court that the judge had agreed at a previous court sitting on September 20 last, to reduce the charge to one of careless driving. This was on condition that Meenaghan completed the Pro Social Driving Course. 

“He signed up straight away for the pro social driving course and he did it straight away,” said Mr McGovern.

“He is a young man who is doing a Marine Engineering course. He has taken a few months out to travel but he is going back to finish his final year. He has done three years in Cork.”

The previous court sitting heard that on the date in question, gardaí were on patrol  at Atlantic Way Bundoran, where a large crowd of car enthusiasts converged.

At around 8pm, officers observed a Nissan 200sx drifting and burning out its tyres on the road. A large crowd of the public were gathered in close proximity. 

Gardaí stopped the vehicle and conveyed Meenaghan to Ballyshannon Garda Station, where he was later charged.

At Friday’s court sitting, Judge Sandra Murphy asked the defendant: “Do you understand why I wanted you to do this course?”

He replied: “Yes.”

The judge imposed a conviction for the lesser charge of careless driving, fining the defendant €350.

“I will decline to disqualify on the basis that he has done the pro social driving course,” she said. 

“I hope that is the end and we will never see him in court again on driving matters.”