Donegal teen banned after 190km/h cross-border chase

Chris McNulty

A Donegal man who led gardaí on a 190km/h chase before crossing the border into Northern Ireland has been disqualified from driving.

Alex Ward, who was only halted when PSNI officers in Derry deployed a stinger, was also fined €1,050 at Letterkenny District Court.

Judge Emile Daly said Ward’s driving, while he was uninsured, was “incredibly irresponsible” and warned that he could well have found himself behind bars.

Ward, a 19-year-old of Lisowen Avenue, Buncrana, was charged in connection with incidents on May 26th, 2025.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins outlined the case to Judge Daly.

The court heard that at 1.06am, gardaí on patrol encountered a black Volkswagen Golf driving in excess of the speed limit at Colehill, Newtowncunningham.

Gardaí turned their car around and caught up with the Golf, being driven by Ward, at Killyverry on the N13.

Ward left the N13, turning onto a local road before immediately turning onto the N13 again.

When gardaí activated the blue lights and sirens, Ward took off at speed.

Ward led gardaí on a high-speed pursuit through a series of nine townlands. At Speenogue, Ward performed a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre, forcing an oncoming vehicle to take evasive action.

Ward was driving between 160km/h and 190km/h during the pursuit, and gardaí were given a direction by their control centre to stand down due to the nature of the driving.

Gardaí notified the PSNI, and a time later the Golf was stopped with a stinger in Northern Ireland. Ward was arrested and identified. He made full admissions.

Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Ward, said his client is an apprentice pipe welder who was supported in court by his girlfriend.

Dorrian told the court that Ward had only just bought the car and had no licence or insurance.

“It was fight or flight and unfortunately he took the latter,” Dorrian said. “The PSNI basically told him to catch himself on and go to the guards in Buncrana, which he did.

“He has acknowledged his wrongdoing, he went to the gardaí and made a statement.”

Dorrian said the incident represented a “painful lesson” for Ward.

Judge Daly said she had never before encountered someone in her court who was driving at such a speed.

“There are other colleagues who would impose a prison sentence arising from that,” Judge Daly said. “You are a danger at that speed, if you meet someone.

“It is an immaturity, but also incredibly irresponsible. You were a risk to road users and to society.”

Due to Ward having no previous convictions, Judge Daly said she would deal with the matter by way of a fine.

“I want this to sting you in the way it needs to,” Judge Daly said. “If you are found doing this again, you will be penalised much more heavily.”

On a dangerous driving charge, Ward was convicted and fined €600. He was also disqualified from driving for a period of two years.

For having no insurance, Ward was fined €300 while Judge Daly fined him €150 for having no licence.

In respect of each fine, Ward was given six months to pay.