Judge hands 25-year ban to young driver

A JUDGE has warned young drivers in Co Donegal he will consider imposing curfews as he handed down a 25-year driving ban and a 22-month jail term to a man convicted of dangerous driving.

Speaking while sentencing Kevin Dunleavy, 24, Judge Seamus Hughes said: “I want the message to go out loud and clear in Donegal, that if there are any further cases like this before me they will be treated in the same way.

“I’m not tolerating young men driving around like this and endangering the lives of innocent members of the public.”

Dunleavy, of Meentagh, Glenvar, Co Donegal, was charged with dangerous driving at Carrigart, on July 1, and on August 12, at a number of locations in Kerrykeel and Rathmullan.

Dunleavy was given a jail term of 22 months for the offences and was also banned from driving for 25 years.

Judge Hughes said he is considering imposing curfews on young drivers so that they cannot take to the roads at certain times.

“I want to know if I have the power to impose a curfew on young drivers in lieu of a suspended sentence for dangerous or careless driving,” he said to Inspector Colm Nevin at Letterkenny district court.

“I would rather impose a curfew on a young driver convicted of a first offence, so they cannot drive between the hours of 8pm and 7am or carry passengers, rather than disqualify them and affect their employment or education prospects,” the judge said.

Insp Nevin said he would look into the matter and advise the judge.