Woman faces six dangerous driving charges

A woman has been charged with six counts of dangerous driving in Letterkenny in the early hours of Monday.

Tara McGivern told Letterkenny District Court that she had her vehicle and mobile phone seized and was pepper sprayed by Gardai during the incident.

The 36-year-old, with an address at Oak Park, Coothall, Roscommon, appeared at Monday's sitting of the court.

McGivern was charged with dangerous driving at Dromore, Trimeragh, Leck, Port Road, Bomany and Raymoghy, Manorcunningham on Monday, June 19, 2023.

Initially, McGivern told the court that she wished to represent herself.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham told the defendant that she was entitled to free legal aid if she wished to consult a solicitor.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Gardai had no issue with bail once McGivern provided a contact number.

“They took my phone as evidence when they arrested me,” McGivern told the court. The accused said Gardai had broken the window of her vehicle to 'get in to me' and said she was pepper sprayed.

“I was so afraid, I told them everything was being recorded and they took my phone as evidence.”

Sergeant Collins said that a home telephone number or an email address would suffice in the absence of a mobile phone number.

McGivern said: “I am going to be released to the street, I have had my car taken and my phone taken. I have no codes for anything.”

Judge Cunningham told McGivern that she would have to make a bail application unless she provided the court with contact details.

Solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher was assigned to represent McGivern. He said the matter was 'more serious than I first thought' and said he may make applications for certain reports when the case is heard again.

Judge Cunningham granted bail in McGivern's own bond of €200 and adjourned the matter until September 25, 2023.