Man involved in fatal Garda car collision released from hospital

The 24-year-old man involved in a traffic collision with a garda patrol car which resulted in the death of Garda Gary McLoughlin has been discharged from hospital today.

Martin McDermott, from Castle Grove, Raphoe is due before a special sitting of Carrick on Shannon Court this evening to face charges relating to three bench warrants unrelated to the collision which happened on Sunday, December 16.

Garda Gary McLoughlin, who was stationed in Buncrana, died just days after his patrol car and a vehicle being driven by Martin McDermott were in collision. A second garda was also injured.

McDermott, who suffered head injuries and a broken leg and toe, was thrown from his vehicle on impact with the parked patrol car and was hospitalised until today.

This evening's court appearance relates to three outstanding warrants and no charges have been brought at this stage relating to Garda McLaughlin's death.

It the wake of the tragedy it emerged that McDermott was handed a six-month prison sentence at a sitting of a local district court in September, but gardaí were unable to execute a committal warrant because he had relocated to the North.

He was also banned from driving for 15 years, having previously been banned for 10 years and five years for motoring offences.