Bug drives Cavan man into trouble in Longford District Court

A Cavan man has been ordered to “source and fund his own pro-social driving course” - a court-ordered programme aimed at improving driver behaviour and road safety - after he failed to complete a previously imposed course due to being sick with “a bug” on the day in question.

28 year old Dylan Donegan of 31 Shangarry, Ballinagh, Cavan, appeared before Longford District Court on charges relating to traffic offences which occurred in 2025 in Longford.

These included driving with a drug in his system, and driving without a driver’s license and no insurance in Cartron Granard on May 4.

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This was brought before the court by Garda John Fitzmaurice of Granard Garda Station.

Other charges included driving without a driver’s license and no insurance in Bracklin Park, Edgeworthstown on April 13, the prosecuting Garda for which was Louise Crehan of Longford Garda Station.

Referencing a previously imposed pro-social driving course, solicitor for the accused, Diarmuid Quinn, explained that his client had missed the second day of the course.

When asked for clarification by Judge Owens, Mr Quinn said his client had been sick and was unable to make it in. Directing her attention to the defendant, Judge Owens questioned what exactly had made him sick, to which he shrugged and replied, “dunno, just got a bug.”

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Addressing the court, Solr Quinn added, “It’s unfortunate Judge because you can see he engaged very well on the first day of the course but it’s unfortunate he didn’t go back on the second day.”

Solr Quinn continued, “There is no doubt he would have passed it. We do not have the certificate today but he did engage well with the service and was deemed suitable for community service. I think you had mentioned 200 hours in lieu of 6 months if he was suitable.”

When asked by Judge Owens how many previous convictions Mr Donegan had, Sergeant Fiona Farrell replied he had 22.

She continued, “The most recent was at Cavan on July 27, 2023, for criminal damage; he got 5 months in prison.”

“On the same date, the production of an article during the course of a dispute was taken into consideration. Intoxication in a public place - fined €200. At Cavan District Court on December 15, 2022, possession of drugs for sale or supply. He got a suspended prison sentence of 5 months for 2 years. Previous offences included driving offences.”

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In response, Solr Diarmuid Quinn acknowledged that it was “a very poor record indeed.”

When asked by Judge Owens about Mr Donegan’s personal circumstances, Solr Quinn replied, “He previously had an excellent work history. He was in construction for a number of years.

He added, “He’s unfortunately not working at present. He expressed a motivation to change that. He says he’s looking for work, Judge. There were periods in his life when he had stability and that seems to be when he was working. He is 27 years of age and has two children aged 5 and 6.”

In finalising the matter, Judge Owens said there were “some elements of concern” to her after having read the probation report.

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The Judge added, “The probation officer expresses a concern that Mr Donegan was somewhat casual about dealing with the probation officer so what I’m going to do is I’m going to finalise matters in so far as in respect of matters relating to April 13, 2025 of no insurance and no license, Mr Donegan is being given a community service order of 140 hours in lieu of 4 months in prison and he is disqualified for 6 years. I am marking the no insurance taken into account.”

Referencing a separate drug related charge, Judge Owens added, “Possession of drugs ... given his circumstances, convict and fine €150 and 9 months to pay. I’m not happy to finalise Garda Fitzmaurice’s matters today. Mr Donegan is remanded on continuing bail to this court on November 10.”

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Judge Owens then instructed the defendant to source and fund a pro-social driving course, and either complete the second date or repeat it in its entirety if needed.

​She added that if he did this, she “might then be persuaded to look at this given the very serious matters that are before the court - no insurance and the drug driving prosecution - and to deal with the matter by way of perhaps further community service or a suspended sentence.”