A disqualified driver with more than 200 convictions who drove the wrong way on the hard shoulder of the Naas dual carriageway has been jailed for three years, reports Breaking News.
Michael McDonagh (49) pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving, driving without a licence, and having no insurance on June 25th, 2020, reports Breaking News.
McDonagh, of Donomore Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin 24, has 201 previous convictions, including 126 road traffic offences, and was disqualified from driving at the time with no licence or insurance, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Tuesday, reports Breaking News.
Evidence showed McDonagh went to the home of someone he knew about a Skoda for sale for €6,500, took it for a test drive, and did not return, reports Breaking News.
Three days later, gardaí on patrol spotted the car parked across several spaces in a car park, and when approached, the vehicle drove off, reports Breaking News.
Gardaí activated sirens and blue lights to signal McDonagh to stop, but he did not, and it was then realised the car had been stolen.
During the seven-minute chase, the car drove the wrong way on Fortunestown Lane at speeds between 70km/hr and 100km/hr in a 50km/hr zone, reports Breaking News.
McDonagh drove at high speed on Cheeverstown Road, broke red lights at several junctions, forcing other road users to take evasive action, reports Breaking News.
He also reached 120km/hr in a 60km/hr zone, drove in a bus lane, and weaved through traffic.
McDonagh drove onto the Naas dual carriageway, the wrong way on the hard shoulder at high speed, forcing gardaí to break off the pursuit for safety, reports Breaking News.
Other road users contacted gardaí about his driving on the dual carriageway, and the car was later recovered and returned undamaged to its owner.
The court was told gardaí learned McDonagh was serving a sentence in the UK, and he voluntarily returned, remaining in custody since his extradition in October 2024, reports Breaking News.
The investigating garda noted that roads were quieter during the Covid-19 pandemic but confirmed other road users were present.
Counsel said McDonagh wished to apologise for the stress caused to gardaí and road users, reports Breaking News.
McDonagh has several health conditions, is unable to work, and has a history of addiction and early life adversity, with five children based in the UK, reports Breaking News.
Judge Martin Nolan said McDonagh “drove in a very dangerous and reckless way,” “endangered other road users,” and frightened many people.
A three-year sentence was imposed, backdated to when McDonagh went into custody in October 2024, and a five-year driving disqualification was added, with the court noting it was “not sure that Mr McDonagh respects disqualification,” reports Breaking News.
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