Jail for man who rammed two Garda vehicles in separate incidents in Donegal - Donegal Daily

A man who rammed two Garda vehicles in separate incidents in Donegal has been jailed.Dean Beattie, a 33-year-old of Glenvale Road in Derry appeared before Judge...

A man who rammed two Garda vehicles in separate incidents in Donegal has been jailed.

Dean Beattie, a 33-year-old of Glenvale Road in Derry appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at Letterkenny District Court in connection with a series of incidents.

Beattie was sentenced to a total of two years in prison with the last year suspended for a period of two years following his release. He was also disqualified from driving for five years and also fined €500 for the possession of a quantity of illegal drugs.

Beattie has 11 previous convictions in this jurisdiction and “an extensive catalogue” in Northern Ireland, Sergeant Maurice Doyle confirmed to the court.

He has been in custody since April 18 after his arrest following an incident at Mannerstown Crossroads, Bunnamayne, Bridgend.

At 12.45am, Gardai were conducting a checkpoint when a white BMW approached, but turned away from the checkpoint.

Beattie was intercepted by Gardai, who had to forcibly retrieve him from the vehicle. Beattie gave false details to Gardai, but the officers recognised him.

Upon a search of the vehicle, Gardai found a large block of suspected cocaine - valued at an estimated €609 - in the driver’s side footwell while deal bags were located in the passenger’s side.

Beattie was also in possession of £1,655 in sterling and €170 at the time, while a drug swipe returned positive for the presence of cannabis. He was also found in possession of €100 worth of cannabis and no documents were produced for the car following a demand by Gardai.

On February 10, 2026 at Max Sports Casino in Muff, Gardai approached a white Volvo, which was stopped at that location at 1.46pm.

Beattie reversed the vehicle into the front of an unmarked Garda vehicle. He then drove forward and reversed again in an attempt to flee.

Following his arrest, Beattie tested positive for the presence of cannabis while cannabis valued at €140 was located in his vehicle.

A demand was made for Beattie to produce his documents, but this was not complied with.

Beattie was also charged with dangerous driving on the same date at Bonnemaine, Bridgend at 12.43pm.

Gardai approached the vehicle and identified Beattie, who then locked the car and drove off at speed.

Beattie crossed over the white line while overtaking two vehicles and stayed on the incorrect side of the road while passing traffic islands, a school and a housing estate before crossing the border into Northern Ireland.

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Beattie was also charged with theft on November 18, 2021 when he used a stolen debit card to purchase two packets of cigarettes, valued at €26, from Applegreen, Letterkenny Road, Lifford.

Beattie was also charged in relation to offences on March 18, 2026 at Letterkenny Road, Lifford.

When Gardai approached a black Mercedes Benz, which was parked in the courtyard of a filling station, Beattie took off at speed, narrowly missing a wall and a safety island.

On April 8, 2026, another black Mercedes was seen acting suspiciously by Gardai at Porthall. After attempting to flee the attention of Gardai, Beattie came to a stop.

Beattie then reversed his vehicle at speed onto the R265, the front side of his car colliding with the passenger side of an unmarked Garda vehicle.

Beattie was also charged with drug-driving after a positive drug swipe confirmed the presence of cannabis in his system.

Mr Patsy Gallagher, solicitor for Beattie, said that his client fully accepts the charges before the court.

Mr Gallagher said that Beattie is a single man who was born at the closing period of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. He said he was born into a disadvantaged area, a poor area where alcohol and drugs played a big part of his parental guidance.

Beattie was taken into care at a young age and he was subjected to “unfortunate influences” by third parties, Mr Gallagher added.

He said that Beattie has been in custody since April and the chaplaincy service in prison has been a “great benefit” to his client.

Mr Gallagher said that Beattie accepts that he will have to undergo rehab when he is released.

“He is a man who wants to get better, he is sober and clean,” Mr Gallagher said. He also asked the court to consider a letter to the court from Beattie.

Judge Liddy noted the plea and the letter submitted by Beattie.

“He is clearly an intelligent, articulate young man and it’s a shame to see him waste his life,” Judge Liddy said.

On the four dangerous driving charges, Beattie was sentenced to six months in prison. He was also put off the road for five years.

On the charge of possession of drugs, Beattie was fined €500 and given six months to pay with the other charges marked as taken into consideration.

Recognisance, in the event of an appeal, was fixed at Beattie’s own bond of €500.