Man gouged a parked Tesla in Donegal carpark in ‘misguided’ political protest

A 53-year-old man has pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a Tesla car that was parked in a Donegal Town car park.

The offence, the court heard, was a misguided political protest in response to events in the US and in particular, the owner of the Tesla company.

Roger White of 40 Carbury Coast, Tullaghan, County Leitrim was before a recent sitting of Donegal District Court which took place in Ballyshannon Courthouse. He pleaded guilty to criminal damage of a white 231-registered Tesla at Main Street Carpark, Donegal Town on June 5, 2025.

Inspector Tony Byrne told the court that the owner parked his car at the Main Street carpark.

“He returned to discover that his vehicle had been gouged with a sharp object,” said the Inspector. “It was captured on CCTV. The defendant was arrested.

“He had nothing against the owner of the vehicle. It was more to do with the manufacturer.”

The court heard that the damage cost was €7,227.03, and the injured party had incurred a loss of €200 on his insurance excess.

White had no previous convictions. Solicitor for the accused, Rory O’Brien said the act was an aberration of an otherwise unblemished character.

“Mr White is a gentleman who has never come to any adverse attention whatsoever,” said the solicitor. “He is very engaged with volunteer groups, and works in a professional capacity. 

“He indicated that he was sorry. It was an irrational act on his part that correlated to a time of heightened political tension in the US, to various right wing commentary that was being made. It was a misguided protest.”

He told the court that his client was prepared to compensate the vehicle owner, had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, and was keen to have the matter dealt with as quickly as possible. 

Mr O’Brien added that the irrational nature of the offence had let his client to reflect on his frame of mind, and he had self-referred for counselling as a result.  

The solicitor handed a number of references into the court, with their authors praising White for his community work and good character. A medical report was also submitted.

“He comes before the court utterly ashamed, completely embarrassed, a complete aberration of character,” said Mr O’Brien. 

“We are in a position of full compensation and restitution. I ask the court to find a way to avoid a conviction for him, given that it is the first and only time he will ever come before the court.”

Judge Ciaran Liddy asked that €8,000 be paid to the victim. A cheque for that amount was handed in to the court.

Judge Liddy said he was striking out the charge, with liberty to re-enter if there was any problem with the cheque.