Garda posed as boy-racer in late-night rally

An undercover garda who posed as a boy-racer at a late night car rally said that if one of the cars performing ‘doughnuts’ had spun out of control, "it would have resulted in carnage".

At Ennis District Court last night, Det Garda Barry Walsh said the cruise, organised through Facebook, involved 70 cars and gathered on Lahinch prom in Co Clare on Friday, March 7.

Before the court were seven participants and Judge Patrick Durcan banned all seven from driving for six months and fined each one €750.

Det Walsh said the event was organised by the ‘North Clare Cruisers and DIFFS’ and took in the Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch, Doolin and Corkscrewhill on Lisdoonvarna on March 7 and 8 last.

Judge Durcan said the events outlined on the night were ‘horrendous’.

He said: “What was organised was an illegal and dangerous event.”

Judge Durcan said he accepted the seven accused were hard-working, educated people from good backgrounds without previous convictions.

However, he accused the seven of being “daft, selfish and showing a complete disregard for others” in organising the rally.

Det Walsh said he and a colleague were tasked by Supt Séamus Nolan to carry out surveillance on the event. Judge Durcan said there was an element of a sting operation to the surveillance.

On the night, Det Walsh was driving a Honda Civic and dressed in plain-clothes. He said that in one incident, a boy-racer performed ‘doughnuts’ around rally organiser, Wayne Danaher, 19, of Snipe Lodge, Knockagulla, Lisdoonvarna, at the entrance to the Cliffs of Moher.

At a subsequent interview with gardaí, Mr Danaher said he was within a couple of feet of the car performing the doughnuts and admitted it was very dangerous thing to do.

Det Walsh said it was extremely dangerous as there were 150 to 200 people looking on at the ‘doughnuts’ and there were no safety barriers in place.

Det Walsh said Mr Danaher approached him later at the rally and asked him who he was and where he was from. He replied: “I’m here for the cruise”.

After observing more ‘doughnuts’ performed on Corkscrewhill, near Lisdoonvarna, Det Walsh said that “if the car spun out of control, it would have resulted in carnage”.

On the way to Lisdoonvarna, Det Walsh said he observed one car overtaking 10 to 12 cars on the convoy.

Insp John Ryan said the entire incident was extremely reckless, stating that a farmer living near Corkscrewhill “was frightened for his life, had animals calving and was afraid to come out of the house on the night”.

Insp Ryan said the burnt rubber marks caused by the doughnuts had left the road extremely dangerous for other users, particularly motor cyclists.

In total, the Clare seven individuals pleaded guilty to offences in connection with the rally.

Wayne Danaher, Jennifer Cannavan, 20, of Derrymore, Lahinch, Shaun Larkin, 27, of Inis Carraig, Ennis, Sean Keane, 19, of Ballyhannon, Quin, Rory Downes, 21, Clonakilla, Kilmilhil, Gabriel Weck, 20, of Bealcragga, Connolly, and Kevin Baker, 18, of Finntra, Miltown Malbay.

Mr Danaher and Ms Canavan pleaded guilty to public order offences in connection with the rally, with other five pleading guilty to careless driving.

Appeals are to lodged in all cases.