Co Tyrone teenager caught driving at 105 mph on A4 at Dungannon 'was late for a bus', court hears
A restricted driver caught travelling at 105 mph on the A4 at Dungannon was late for a bus, the local magistrates court has been told.
Conan Donnelly, aged 18, of Carraig Drive, Carrickmore, was fined £150 with a £15 offender’s levy and disqualified from driving for four months for exceeding his 45mph speed restriction.
Donnelly was fined a further £125 for failing to display ‘R’ plates and having an incorrect form of registration mark on October 17 last year.
Imposing the penalties, District Judge Francis Rafferty told the defendant it was an “absolutely outrageous speed” and speaks of the defendant’s lack of concern for other roadusers.
Prosecuting counsel said the offence happened at approximately 10.44pm at Anaghilla Road, Ballygawley.
She said police detected a VW Golf doing 105 mph and it was stopped and the defendant identified as the driver.
The lawyer said checks showed the defendant was a restricted driver and the speed was 60 mph over his 45 mph limit.
There were no ‘R’ plates displayed on the vehicle and the registration had incorrect signage.
Admitting the offences, a defence solicitor said at the time the defendant was late for a bus and he subsequently missed the bus after being stopped by the police.
He stressed the young apprentice is aware that have resulted in serious injury or death.
The solicitor explained that Donnelly worked in a very rural area with limited public transport and would have to rely on family members and friends for lifts to get to work.