Doughnutting driver refused to pay fine due to penalty point count

A doughnutting driver wrote to the Courts Service expressing his fear over the amount of penalty points he has already collected.

Gareth Delaney was charged with driving without reasonable consideration in Letterkenny on June 20, 2021 and told Gardai he would not be paying a fine due to his collection of points.

Delaney was due before Letterkenny District Court on Monday, but he did not appear.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said she was satisfied to proceed with the matter in the absence of Delaney, a 22-year-old of Golf Links Road, Roscommon.

Garda Pat Geraghty told the court that he was policing an 'unofficial boy racer event' that was taking place on the weekend of the Donegal International Rally, which was cancelled due to Covid-19.

Garda Geraghty told how Delaney exited the Applegreen Service Station and performed doughnut and drifting manoeuvres as he came onto the four-lane carriageway.

A large crowd was present and bystanders were said to be 'getting on and encouraging' Delaney.

When stopped, Delaney admitted that he was in the wrong. However, Garda Geraghty said Delaney informed Gardai that if he was issued with a fine he would not pay it as he had penalty points on his licence already.

A fixed charge penalty notice under Section 51 A of the Road Traffic Act was issued, but remains unpaid.

Judge Cunningham said that two emails from Delaney had been received by the Courts Service. Delaney expressed concern as regards to the number of penalty points that could ensue.

Judge Cunningham noted that Delaney had written twice to look at the possibility of avoiding a conviction.

“I am not satisfied that he is fully up to speed in terms of the restrictions from the Court's perspective,” Judge Cunningham said. “He is in difficulty.”

The Judge asked Gardai to have members in Roscommon call with Delaney.

Sergeant Gerard Dalton told the court that the accused had been notified four times and had not engaged with Gardai.

The matter was adjourned until July 24, 2023 and Judge Cunningham said Delaney was to be present on the next date.