Greencastle man drove recklessly with no lights on during frightening pursuit at night

A young Greencastle man, who drove extremely recklessly with no lights on during a high-speed Garda pursuit at night, has been banned from driving for two years.

Nathan McIvor, of Drumaweir, Greencastle, pleaded guilty to three counts of dangerous driving when he appeared before Buncrana District Court.

The 20-year-old trainee welder, who sat in the courtroom with his parents, also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.

The court heard how he dangerously overtook another vehicle on the outskirts of Buncrana with his lights switched off in near total darkness during the early hours of the morning.

Judge Ciaran Liddy warned Mr McIvor that his driving was at the “extreme end” and that he had considered a prison sentence. The judge ordered him to complete a driver’s safety education course within twelve months or he’ll face additional charges.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns outlined the evidence against the Greencastle man. He told the court how Detective Garda Kieran Kelly was on mobile patrol at Burnfoot on August 1, 2024, when the incident began to unfold.

At 1.35am he observed a black UK-registered Volkswagen Golf, which was being driven towards Buncrana from the Burnfoot direction.

The vehicle was flagged up on the Garda system, and Det Garda Kelly began to follow it, activating the blue lights of his unmarked patrol car at Lisfannon.

The VW Golf failed to stop, however, and it gained speed, travelling in the direction of Buncrana.

The lights were then turned off in the fleeing car, and it overtook another vehicle while approaching the Applegreen service station on the outskirts of Buncrana.

At McCarter’s Road, Buncrana, Garda Connolly encountered the vehicle, and she observed a young male in the driver’s seat.

The court was told that the vehicle continued to be driven at “high speed and in an aggressive manner”, with no lights on.

Due to the manner of the dangerous driving, Garda Connolly was forced to abandon her pursuit at 1.48am.

The court heard how Mr McIvor’s mother, Deirdre, then contacted the gardai regarding concerns about her son when he had returned home with the vehicle.

A voluntary statement was subsequently taken from Nathan McIvor in the presence of his mother, in which he outlined his recollection of the incident. He admitted to driving and not having insurance to drive the vehicle.

He said he failed to stop for the pursuing guards because he wasn’t insured and because his “head wasn’t in the right place”.

The court was told that Mr McIvor has no previous convictions.

Defending the case, solicitor Ciaran MacLochlainn conceded that the “driving may seem a bit on the extreme side” – but he said his client was going through a difficult spell at the time.

Mr MacLochlainn said he “panicked and took off” because he was aware that he wasn’t insured to drive the car.

“His driving clearly was not good, and he knows he’s looking at a disqualification. He knew that he had no insurance, and he knew that he was in difficulties.”

“He took off at speed and he fully apologises for his behaviour.”

“My client is a young man who lives at home with his parents. He was working part-time, but he lost his job in Derry at that time, and he was very depressed as a result of that.”

“He hasn’t driven since this incident. He is now studying a welding course at the North West Regional College in Derry and he intends to pursue that.”

Mr MacLochlainn said Mr McIvor has since signed up for the pro-social driving course and that is due to start from next week.

The solicitor explained what happened on the night in question, including how Mr McIvor’s parents led their son to make full admissions.

“He took the car from the house and his parents contacted a local retired Garda Sergeant in Moville, Sergeant Ernie Gray, because they were concerned.”

“They then contacted the Garda Station and the guards came to the house.”

Mr MacLochlainn added: “His parents immediately took this course of action, which prevented a more serious incident.”

“But for the cooperation of his parents, this young fellow might never have ended up in court at all,” he told the judge.

READ NEXT: Buncrana father and daughter honoured at music awards ceremony in Holland

After listening to the evidence and mitigation put forward, Judge Liddy delivered his verdict in the matter.

“What has been described here is on the extreme end of dangerous driving, bordering on reckless endangerment.”

“However, I note the manner in which he has dealt with it, by approaching the gardai and making admissions along with his parents. That has persuaded me that a prison sentence is not warranted.”

“I note too, from his references, that it’s clear this young man has had a difficult time.”

Judge Liddy imposed a two-year disqualification and a fine of €100 for dangerous driving.

He issued an additional fine of €100 for the charge of driving without insurance, and Mr McIvor has six months to pay the €200 total.

The judge warned the young defendant that he must also complete the pro-social driving course within one year, and he must furnish proof of that to the guards.

“Should that proof not be provided within one year of today’s date, the State has liberty to re-enter the matter,” Judge Liddy ruled.