Longford man pleads guilty to dangerous driving and to slashing tyres of Garda vehicle

A rogue driver, who pleaded guilty to a large number of motoring offences including three dangerous driving offences, has been handed a four month suspended prison sentence and been disqualified for two years.

Tommy Lee Doyle (21) who had charge sheet addresses of Ferefad, Ardagh Road and also 9 Trumra Road, Granard pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to three dangerous driving offences on July 29, 2024.

Garda David Conroy arrested the defendant who appeared in court charged with dangerous driving at Cloonart South, Newtownforbes, Deerpark, Newtownforbes and on the N63 at Cloonturk Longford.

Mr Doyle separately pleaded guilty to criminal damage and slashing the tyres of a Garda vehicle at Richmond Street, Longford on November 8, 2024

The defendant was also prosecuted in respect of a number of dangerous driving incidents, driving without the correct documentation, driving on a learner permit without an accompanying driver and without displaying L plates.

At a previous hearing last March, Garda Shane O'Connor outlined the charges against the defendant relating to the most recent offence on January 19, 2025.

Garda O'Connor told Judge Bernadette Owens the charges arose when Mr Doyle was driving what was later proven to be a dangerous defective vehicle in a dangerous manner.

The officer said that at 17:25pm he was on patrol at Richmond Street, Longford when he observed a car taking off at speed.

Garda O'Connor said he followed the vehicle as it passed through a number of townlands and although the speed limit was 80kph for most of the journey, going to 100kph on one road, the driver exceeded that speed.

The court heard at one point the car was forced to slow down on a narrow road by a vehicle in front.

The driving of Mr Doyle forced the other vehicle to pull off the road to allow him past.

When he passed he proceeded to travel at speed.

Garda O'Connor said the defendant was going at such a pace he was unable to maintain his speed, mainly because of the nature of the road and the weather.

He described conditions as “quite wet” with “surface water posing a danger”.

Mr Doyle finally stopped at Clontuskert and he was arrested and his car was seized.

A Garda inspector's report found the car was “dangerously defective” and the car had three different sized wheels.

The defendant also appeared in relation to driving while unaccompanied and on a learner permit on the Dublin Road, Longford on March 6, 2024 at 11:24pm.

Similar offences were recorded for April 5, 2024 , May 29 and Friday, June 17, 2024 and on May 13, 2025.

Mr Doyle also pleaded guilty to driving with no insurance at Farnagh, Longford on March 30 last.

The court heard the defendant had five previous convictions.

Solicitor John Anderson said his client had completed a Pro Social driving course as directed and he is willing to do community service.

Mr Anderson said his client is a young man who 'didn't get the same start' in life and he asked her not to take away his liberty.
“I would ask you to give him a chance and not to impose a custodial sentence.

“He engaged with the probation services, he always turns up to court and he does take matters quite seriously.”

Judge Bernadette Owens said Mr Doyle had continued to commit offences while on bail and she handed down a suspended four month jail sentence and a two year driving ban for the three dangerous driving offences on July 29, 2024.

She also requested an updated probation report and community service report in respect of the dangerous driving offence on January 19, 2025.

Judge Owens, who indicated he was facing 240 hours of community service if suitable, warned Mr Doyle she was 'drawing a line in the sand' and this was his final chance to before adjourning the case until January 20 next, for mention.

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