Killybegs grandfather disqualified after engine ripped from car in collision

A Killybegs grandfather has been disqualified from driving after appearing in court on a dangerous driving charge.

Glenties District Court heard that the engine was ripped out of Eugene McHugh’s car and ended up on the other side of the road.

McHugh, a 68-year-old of Commons, Killybegs, was charged with dangerous driving in relation to a road traffic collision at Largymore, Kilcar on November 28, 2024.

Inspector Tony Byrne told Judge Emile Daly that a plea to a lesser charge of careless driving was not accepted by the State.

Inspector Byrne said the accused man was travelling to see his grandchildren at the time. Gardai received a report from a lorry driver that a motorist was observed making “dangerous manoeuvres” in attempting to overtake.

Weather conditions were said to be poor due to very heavy rain at the time. The lorry driver informed Gardai that McHugh passed him out and lost control. McHugh’s vehicle entered the oncoming lane and collided with another vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

“The result of the collision was that the engine was ripped out of Eugene McHugh’s car and ended up on the other side of the road,” Inspector Byrne said. Both drivers were the sole occupants of their respective vehicles at the time.

No serious injuries were received, but the female driver of the other car suffered some back pain as a result.

The court was told that McHugh has no previous convictions.

Mr Robert Ryan, solicitor for McHugh, said his client had an “impeccable driving record” until this incident.

“He was driving for 50 years without so much as a point on his licence,” Mr Ryan said. “He was running late and he felt under pressure. He overtook on a straight stretch and had completed the overtaking. It was only when he lined back up on the road again that one of his wheels skidded and he lost control. There was no great speed involved.”

Mr Ryan said McHugh has an “impeccable work record”, has been a retained firefighter for 20 years and is also a volunteer diver who has assisted Gardai on several occasions.

“He has given a lot to his community,” Mr Ryan added.

The solicitor said that McHugh is now living alone following the sad passing of his wife two years ago. He said his client requires his licence to attend medical appointments in Sligo and Dublin. 

Mr Ryan said: “The loss of his licence would be utterly catastrophic to him. This was a misjudgement in performing an overtaking manoeuvre.”

Mr Ryan said his client accepted that he had overtaken on a continuous white line, but added that there were cats’ eyes on that stretch of road, which could have led one to believe that the line was broken.

Judge Emile Daly said she accepted that there were compelling reasons for the accused needing his licence, but said the court has to take a view on such driving.

“If someone is so experienced, it doesn’t give them reason to do that,” Judge Daly said. “It is very lucky that either the woman in the car he collided with or the accused himself was not injured and thankfully they weren’t. In my view it falls into dangerous driving - and on that basis I am refusing the application to reduce the charge to section 52 (careless driving).

Judge Daly imposed a two-year disqualification and fined McHugh €400, allowing six months to pay.

Recognisance, in the event of an appeal, was fixed at McHugh’s own bond of €150, nil cash. If the matter is not appealed, Judge Daly granted a five-month postponement on the start of the disqualification period.