Speeding teenager stopped by stinger is banned from driving - Donegal News

AN uninsured Donegal teenager caught speeding at almost twice the national speed limit before being brought to a stop by a stinger over the border has been banned. Alex Ward (19), of 18 Lisowen Avenue, Buncrana, was clocked speeding at up to 190 kmhr on the N13. Garda Sergeant Jim Collins outlined the case to Judge Emile Daly […]

AN uninsured Donegal teenager caught speeding at almost twice the national speed limit before being brought to a stop by a stinger over the border has been banned.

Alex Ward (19), of 18 Lisowen Avenue, Buncrana, was clocked speeding at up to 190 kmhr on the N13.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins outlined the case to Judge Emile Daly at a sitting of the Letterkenny district court on Monday.

The court was told how on May 26, 2025, at 1.06am gardaí observed a VW golf travelling at high speed in the opposite direction on the N13 at Colehill, Newtowncunningham.

Gardai pursued the vehicle and caught up with it near Killyverry on the N13. The vehicle briefly turned off the N13 onto a local road and then re-joined the main road.

Having activated their blue flashing lights and siren, gardai continued to pursue Ward. At Speenogue on the N13, Ward performed a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre during which oncoming traffic had to take evasive action.

The high speed chase was stood down due to the speeds involved. Ward headed towards the border to Derry. Gardaí alerted the PSNI, who subsequently deployed the use of a stinger to stop Ward.

The PSNI advised Ward to hand himself in to Buncrana police station, the court heard.

Defending solicitor Frank Dorrian said his client had no previous convictions, and that he had purchased the car the same day as the offences had occurred.

“It ended badly for him, but nobody was hurt,” said Mr Dorrian.

Judge Emile Daly said Ward, an apprentice pipe welder, could have found himself with a custodial sentence due to the speeds involved. She told the court that she had never dealt with a case locally concerning a speed of 190 kmhr.

She disqualified Ward from driving for two years, and handed down fines totaling €1,050 for dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and driving with no licence.

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