Donutsat Knockairport

A man caught doing ‘ donuts’ in Knock Airport car park has been convicted of careless driving and fined.

Thomas Joyce of Teeling Grove, Tubbercurry, was originally charged with dangerous driving at Knock Airport car park in Kilgarrif West, Charlestown on February 13th 2016. He pleaded guilty however, to a lesser charge of careless driving at Tubbercurry District Court last week.

Inspector Paraic Burke told the court that Joyce was caught performing ‘ donuts’ in the car park of Knock Airport before he was stopped by Gardaí.

His solicitor, Ms Laura Spellman, argued that there was just one other vehicle in the car park at the time and asked Judge Kilrane if he would reduce the charge from dangerous to careless driving. The court heard Joyce has no previous convictions and would need his car for his work as a labourer and cladder. Judge Kilrane agreed to reduce the charge and fined Joyce ¤ 300. charged with dangerous driving at Tubberoddy, Aclare on April 15th 2016.

Inspector Paraic Burke told Tubbercurry District Court last week that Flynn was involved in a head- on collision at 7.20pm that evening on a straight stretch of road.

“The other car pulled in as far as they could but still collided with him. It’s alleged he made no attempt to avoid a collision,” said the inspector.

The court heard Flynn has one previous conviction where a dangerous driving charge was reduced to one of careless driving and he was fined ¤ 340.

The court heard Flynn claimed at an earlier court hearing that he was blinded by the sun and fully accepted responsibility.

“I said the last day it wasn’t the sun that blinded him,” said Judge Kilrane.

He agreed to reduce the charge “reluctantly” to one of careless driving and fined Flynn ¤ 2,000.