Driver gets 25 year ban

Banned Account

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.

Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/crime/judge-hands-25-year-ban-to-young-driver-129771.html#ixzz0yS7EDhLo

So what do you think - fair dues judge I reckon.

py2006

25 years is a bit OTT. I would expect that for somebody who caused serious harm or damage!

Although, there are an awful lot of scumbags in this country flying around the roads in the knacker-mobiles! A stiff, harsh sentence would send a signal out!

The curfew would be difficult to impose I think!

Fago!

SHUT UP JUDGE!

orourkeda

What are the odds on him getting caught driving in the next 25 years

Kiera

What exactly did he do?

WindSock

I would rather they educate people properly and improve the conditions of the country roads, but it is much easier to use one person as a scapegoat, I guess. He is obviously a dangerous scrotebag behind the wheel but banning him for 25 years isn't going to do much.

Jenroche

I think he's got the right idea, tbh.

Jen ;->

Banned Account

Not 100% sure on this occasion but he was a repeat offender who had notched up a number of convistions for dangerous driving offences. I have no issue with people who love their cars but I reckon I you drive like a moron you deserve to take the pain.

Way too many morons around.

pickarooney

Fitzcaraldo wrote: »

So what do you think - fair dues judge I reckon.

Judge should spend more time reading his law books and less time on boards.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=67804709&postcount=117

Banned Account

WindSock wrote: »

I would rather they educate people properly and improve the conditions of the country roads, but it is much easier to use one person as a scapegoat, I guess. He is obviously a dangerous scrotebag behind the wheel but banning him for 25 years isn't going to do much.

But do you not think that stricter penalties may help to act as a deterrent? I agree with the drivers education, but sometimes you need a stick as well as a carrot.

Cookie_Monster

Dangerous driving (on at least two occasions) warrants something like that tbh.
Doesn't mention what he did though, could easily have killed someone while driving and had it classified as "dangerous driving" as can happen

bonerm

His career as a pizza delivery-boy is in tatters now.

Banned Account

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0902/1224278050831.html

A MAN has been imprisoned for 22 months and disqualified for 25 years for dangerous driving offences.
Kevin Dunleavy (24), Kerrykeel, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty to eight counts of dangerous driving in Donegal in July and August.
Dunleavy’s younger brother Cathal Dunleavy (21) was imprisoned for three years in March for unlawfully taking a car in Letterkenny on the night Garda Robert McCallion was killed.
Garda McCallion (29) died after being struck by a car while at the scene of a car theft. Cathal Dunleavy was at the scene but was not the driver of the car that struck the garda.
Judge Séamus Hughes in the district court remarked that Kevin Dunleavy had the “most auspicious number of previous convictions he had ever seen before him”.
He said Donegal was notorious for young people and their dangerous driving and he asked Dunleavy to step into the witness box. “I would like to hear from the author of his own misfortune.”
The judge called Dunleavy’s record “appalling” and, recalling the charges before the court, said: “There you go but for the grace of God, that you didn’t kill someone, a family in a car.”
Garda Mark Gannon said he saw Dunleavy driving in Carrigart on July 1st. Gardaí pursued Dunleavy, who was travelling at 120 km/h. Dunleavy took two turns on the wrong side of the road and failed to stop at a stop sign.
Gardaí pursued him across eight townlands before stopping because it was too dangerous.
On August 12th, gardaí came across the car again. Dunleavy took off, breaking the speed limit and taking bends on the wrong side of the road.
Dunleavy approach a Y-junction where he took a sharp handbrake turn, skidding on to the other side of the road. Bail was fixed at €1,000. Judge Hughes said if he could have sentenced him to 10 years he would have.

Bit more info - sounds like an ass

WindSock

Fitzcaraldo wrote: »

But do you not think that stricter penalties may help to act as a deterrent? I agree with the drivers education, but sometimes you need a stick as well as a carrot.

Yeah I agree there needs to be tougher penalties for dangerous drivers too. I still think 25 years is a bit much and only dished out because of the recent tragedy in Donegal, sure the chap that crashed didn't have as bad a record as this one, I imagine.

Owwmykneecap

Stricter penalties do not act as a deterrent.

If people dying in car crashes don't deter dangerous driving, a driving ban certainly won't.

Hasmunch

If he wants to drive then he will continue to do so, ban or no ban.

The only difference is now he will have no insurance.

Cookie_Monster

ok so 8 counts, thats only about 3 years ban per offence, which is stupidly low. Should be minimum 5, more likely 10 years for dangerous driving. 80 year ban ftw!

Kasabian

I may get lashed for this .

I spend a fair bit of time up in the North West and have encountered more boy racers up there than any other part of the country.

py2006

Fitzcaraldo wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0902/1224278050831.html



Bit more info - sounds like an ass

Well in that case he most definitely deserves the 25 years if not more!! Pity about the bail!

Banned Account

Kasabian wrote: »

I may get lashed for this .

I spend a fair bit of time up in the North West and have encountered more boy racers up there than any other part of the country.

I agree with you, there is definately a culture up there that is more pronounced.

py2006

Kasabian wrote: »

I may get lashed for this .

I spend a fair bit of time up in the North West and have encountered more boy racers up there than any other part of the country.

Yea Donegal is notorious for its bad drivers! There always seems to be news of people killed up there!

Mr. Presentable

He doesn't seem like the type to be bothered about a ban. If he changes his car he can drive again with impunity - the chances of him being caught unless he does something stupid are slim. Incarceration might make him think, but he'll appeal that and probably have it suspended.

pickarooney

Judge Séamus Hughes in the district court remarked that Kevin Dunleavy had the “most auspicious number of previous convictions he had ever seen before him”.

Don't you love when people try to sound all clever but end up looking like semi-literate tools?

stakey

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

Stricter penalties do not act as a deterrent.

If people dying in car crashes don't deter dangerous driving, a driving ban certainly won't.

Certainly not, but taking this idiot off of the road could potentially save an innocent bystander or motorists life. Do we just let these idiots drive on our roads until they kill themselves or others?

Banned Account

pickarooney wrote: »

Don't you love when people try to sound all clever but end up looking like semi-literate tools?

Oh, I don't know pickarooney, depending on his aspirations, it might have been quite promising indeed - he maight have been auditioning for an x-box game.

Biggins

Multiple offender who wasn't learning the lessons others previously had been trying to teach him?

He got what he deserved.

old_aussie

Kiera wrote: »

What exactly did he do?

He did the deed to the community and in turn he has been truely fecked over by the courts.

Kasabian

Fitzcaraldo wrote: »

I agree with you, there is definately a culture up there that is more pronounced.

I have an outlandish theory.

Alot of these young fellas are brought up in farming backgrounds and as a result of this are driving tractors from a young age. Once they are old enough to get a licence they become the designated driver for the older members of the family and friends . This leads to them developing a misguided attitude that they are good drivers.

Add this to the fact they seem to have an inate attitude that they are unbreakable you get results like the recent tragedies that have befallen some families.

Crazy thinking ?

Biggins

Kasabian wrote: »

I may get lashed for this .

I spend a fair bit of time up in the North West and have encountered more boy racers up there than any other part of the country.

Trust me - North East is just as bad.

Princess Zelda

22 months, not near enough. He should made attend every fatal accident in that area to see what could happen to him, or the people he could hit. If he had nightmares/trauma as a result of it, feck him. He obviously cares about no other human life

phill106

How much do you want to bet that in a year or 2 the ban will be overturned after some sob story of needing his car for work, or because he is the only carer of xxx or yyy, and it will be championed by some local politician anxiously wringing his or her hands at the "unduly harsh" ban.

seamus

25 year ban just means he has nothing left to lose.

Typical limp-wristed sentencing from the judiciary. The guys is a notorious scumbag. He should have been jailed for ten years (he'd get out in 7).

Banned Account

seamus wrote: »

25 year ban just means he has nothing left to lose.

Typical limp-wristed sentencing from the judiciary. The guys is a notorious scumbag. He should have been jailed for ten years (he'd get out in 7).

In fairness seamus, the judge gave the maximum sentence possible under the statute books. He did say that he would have given 10 years if he could - perhaps a change of the statute is needed?

heavyballs

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Dangerous driving (on at least two occasions) warrants something like that tbh.
Doesn't mention what he did though, could easily have killed someone while driving and had it classified as "dangerous driving" as can happen

yeah and that sentence fits right in with murderers getting around 8-12 years on many occasions and rapists even less,i know this guy isn't getting put away for long but there's no consistancy,i'm all for capital punishment for heinous crimes but 25 years off the road is a joke


i agree we have a big problem with these boy racers but education is the only correct way to tackle it,i know this guy is a repeat offender but this is a skapegoat sentence and i on principle don't agree with them,i reckon it will be changed

CrazyRabbit

Fair dues to the Judge.

A few more penalties like this and it might deter people from driving like idiots.

1. Automatic 6 month bans for most driving offences.
2. Confiscation/sale of vehicle for dangerous driving offences.
3. Life time driving ban for car theft/joyriding.
4. 5+ lessons & retake of driving test for most driving offences.

I'm sick of being almost killed/seriously injured every few months due to some careless driver (I'm a motorcyclist).

Biggins

heavyballs wrote: »

...education is the only correct way to tackle it ,i know this guy is a repeat offender but this is a skapegoat sentence and i on principle don't agree with them,i reckon it will be changed

Others previously had tried to show him the error of his ways.
How much more time in resources, money, solicitors, courts, etc was going to be wasted continuously as each next reckless act by the idiot, took place?
Ever wonder why there is no Gardi around when you need them? Maybe also its because they continuously have to turn up in court to repeatedly give evidence yet again for these idiots?
When do we say "STOP or "enough is enough" - this muppet is refusing to listen to that we are trying to tell him and giving us a silent two fingers!

Yes, the laws of this land are unequal in regards to crime comparison but that another huge topic in itself so I won't derail this one by diversifying.

The 25 years ban in itself will not be effective but it will give the Gardi and the courts the ability to further protect the rest of the public - for every time in the next 25 years he is found driving, he can be stuck behind bars and if he is off the road, lives are possibly saved.

This guy is like a loaded gun playing Russian Roulette - sooner or later someone loses!
The judge doesn't want it to me my kids or maybe even your kids some day, who happens to get in the way of this lunatic driving!

recylingbin

Coming to an appeal court near you...

****wit of a judge.Should have just imposed a proper sentence and saved court time and money.

Biggins

recylingbin wrote: »

Coming to an appeal court near you...

****wit of a judge.Should have just imposed a proper sentence and saved court time and money.

See post 33.

lisbon_lions

oh its shocking up there this, bad drivers up there that, listen - its a youth thing, a boy racer thing that happens in all parts of the country, up there included. Need I highlight the other instances of carnage in other parts of the country of late? Its attitudes like this that gives everyone a bad name 'up there'.

Banned Account

lisbon_lions wrote: »

oh its shocking up there this, bad drivers up there that, listen - its a youth thing, a boy racer thing that happens in all parts of the country, up there included. Need I highlight the other instances of carnage in other parts of the country of late? Its attitudes like this that gives everyone a bad name 'up there'.

Sorry ll but having spent a lot of time up there, the problem seems to be particularly acute. There are morons in cars everywhere, but there seems to be a disproportionate number around the border region.

Why this is, i'm not so sure - probably multiple causes - low employment and little in the way of amenities leads to boredom and little to do other than go for a drive, the relative ease of importing cars from the north at a lower cost, the fact that the northwest is a stroghold for rallying. The road structure and difficulty in policing such a network.

Possibly other reasons as well. No county is immune but the problem is more pronounced further north.

_feedback_

I can't understand how some people can critisise the judge here. He gave the maximum sentence and obviously thought. . fúck that. This sentence isn't enough for this dangerous muppet, we'll see what him and idiots like him, think of a 25 year ban on top of it.

Fareplay Judge. I hope the thoughts of this case will deter some other idiots this weekend.

mike65

lisbon_lions, you may not like it but the road fatality rate up there is just about the highest in the state.

http://www.rte.ie/news/features/roadsafety/countybycounty.html

The figures are old but they are old for every county - Donegal is persistanty high.

thirtythirty

lisbon_lions wrote: »

oh its shocking up there this, bad drivers up there that, listen - its a youth thing, a boy racer thing that happens in all parts of the country, up there included. Need I highlight the other instances of carnage in other parts of the country of late? Its attitudes like this that gives everyone a bad name 'up there'.

Nobody is saying everybody is a shocking driver up there - it's common knowledge that it's a boy racer thing.

But at the same time, people didn't just randomly pick a county and start complaining about the problem - the problem demanded attention.

There is an issue with it throughout Ireland no doubt, but it's worst there, probably exasperated by the fact that roads are less 'modernised' than a lot of other places in Ireland where the problem also exists. But don't deny it's a serious problem there just because you don't like people attacking the driving standards in your county.

furtzy

I spend a fair bit of time up in Donegal as my wife is from there and the level of driving is appalling. The boy racer culture there is very pronouned you only have to witness their clown car parade in letterkenny every weekend but its not just them. I've witnessed truley suicidal driving up there by middle aged people. There seems to be a very high level of agression amongst drivers up there..they never let you merge and actively block you off when exiting car parks etc. And as I posted in another thread that i witnessed 7 teenagers getting dropped off at a pub from a Yaris in Gweedore just weeks after the Inishowen crash where 8 died.

lisbon_lions

mike65 wrote: »

lisbon_lions, you may not like but the road fatality rate up there is just about the highest in the state.

http://www.rte.ie/news/features/roadsafety/countybycounty.html

The figures are old but they are old for every county - Donegal is persistanty high.

Surely some context should be put around those figures, for instance I would like to see those figures along side other figures such as - county size as a % of total geographical area of the island, % of 17-24 yo with access to own vehicle, % of other with access to own vehicle etc; agreed it is high when looked at in isolation, but look at Cork, Meath for instance.

spottyelephant wrote: »

Nobody is saying everybody is a shocking driver up there - it's common knowledge that it's a boy racer thing.

...

But don't deny it's a serious problem there just because you don't like people attacking the driving standards in your county.

I believe it a serious problem everywhere that young men have access to their own car.

gooch2k9

Have to say that when I moved to donegal five years back it was easy to see how different this area is to most others with regards to boy racers. Sure you can't go anywhere in letterkenny at the weekend without getting stuck behind corollas and civics crawling down the main street. Far more than where I moved here from. Although I could imagine most built up areas would be similar.

General Zod

Kiera wrote: »

What exactly did he do?

I'm not sure, but if you're from Donegal and a FF T.D. you can drive the wrong way up a dual carriageway drunk and get off very lightly. This guy must have rallied a Mondeo into Daniel O'Donnell's house or something of that nature to get such a sentence.

Mr. Presentable

According to the interviewee on The Last Word, this guy already has a 20 year driving ban.