Speeding driver cut across lanes on narrow village road, Donegal court hears

A man who broke the speed limit and then tried to evade gardaí has had a charge of dangerous driving reduced to one of careless driving. 

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham warned the defendant, Maximilian Muller, 28, of 63 Domaghanie Road, Omagh, County Tyrone that if he came back before her, he would not be shown any leniency.

The defendant admitted careless driving, having initially been charged with dangerous driving, in relation to an offence which took place at Duncarbry, Tullaghan, Leitrim, on July 05, 2025.

Inspector Dermot Treacy told Ballyshannon District Court that gardaí were conducting a speed check at Tullaghan when they detected a black Skoda being driven at 85km/h in a 60km/h zone.

“There was surface water at the time,” said the inspector. “The driver was known to the garda. He took off at speed.”

Muller continued into Tullaghan village, then cut across a number of lanes and took off at speed again. 

“The road was narrow with cars parked at both sides,” continued the inspector. “The driver was trying to evade gardaí. He was arrested a short time later.”

Solicitor Ciaran White told the court that the defendant was a respectable young man who regretted the incident.

Judge Cunningham said that it was with reluctance that she was agreeing to the reduced charge.

“Not only was the speed above the speed limit, it is the manner in which he conducted himself that is of concern,” she said. “Trying to evade a member of An Garda Síochána, that is not something that this court tolerates.

“He is fortunate that the state is agreeable to the reduction.”

Judge Cunningham fined the defendant €200 and did not impose a driving disqualification. 

“If he is back before me again, he will not have the benefit of the same leniency,” she said, adding: “I think he would like to extend an apology to An Garda Síochana and the public in general.”

Muller responded: “I apologise for all the inconvenience.”