Speeding Inishowen driver who fails to turn up in court is fined €450

An Inishowen man caught driving at a speed of 123 kilometres per hour in an 80kph zone has been fined €450.

Jonathan McLaughlin, of Galwilly, Glentogher, Carndonagh, faced a speeding charge at Carndonagh District Court, which still sits in Buncrana Courthouse.

The 44-year-old defendant did not turn up in court to answer the charge against him, but Judge Emile Daly ruled that it could go ahead in his absence.

Garda Shaun Tully was sworn in to testify in the brief hearing.

He told the court he had been operating a speed check in an 80 kilometre-zone along the R244 main road at Magherarnett, Carndonagh, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

At 7.30pm that evening, he detected a vehicle travelling at a speed of 123 kilometres per hour.

The vehicle, a black 2008 Volkswagen Passat, was stopped moments later, and the driver gave his name as Jonathan McLaughlin, of the above address.

A fixed charge penalty notice in respect of the speeding offence was subsequently issued, but it was not paid.

Sgt Conor Mulkerns said the defendant had no previous convictions.

Judge Daly convicted him of speeding and imposed a fine of €450, with six months to pay.

She fixed recognisance at €150 cash, should Mr McLaughlin wish to come to court to appeal the verdict against him.