A man who led detectives on a 30 kilometre pursuit before crashing into another patrol car and killing a young Garda has been jailed for seven years.

Martin McDermott was found guilty of the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin in Co Donegal in December 2009.

McDermott, 25, of Castlegrove, Raphoe, was also found guilty of the reckless endangerment of Garda Bernard McLaughlin.

He had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, drink-driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.

The jury was later told that McDermott has been in custody for the past year and a half.

The jury of eight women and four men took just under two hours to return their verdict.

McDermott showed no emotion as both guilty verdicts were read out by the jury foreman.

His mother and other relatives broke down in tears.

Some of the late Garda McLoughlin’s relatives, who travelled from their hometown of Fenagh in Co Leitrim, also broke down in tears.

The dead Garda’s brother Enda told the court that his family’s lives will be changed forever because of Gary’s death.

“Gary is in our thoughts every hour of every day. We got a phonecall nobody wants to hear at 3am. Our hearts would be broken and our lives changed forever,” he said.

He revealed how his father Noel is angry when people describe Gary’s death as an accident and is still have problems accepting his youngest son’s death.

Fighting back tears at Letterkenny Circuit Court, Enda also revealed the family thought he might pull through even though he was only given a 5% chance.

“When that increased to 15% we felt elated but we were soon punched in the stomach,” he said.

He described his brother as an ordinary, happy young man who loved his job and loved to do magic tricks for his nieces such as pulling coins out of their ears.

“It is difficult but we just miss those normal days,” he said.

He added that his mother Una finds it difficult to sleep and she says there is an emptiness in her life that she will never be able to fill.

The trial, which lasted three days, heard how Garda detectives first spotted McDermott speeding out of The Grove petrol station in Bridgend after 1.20am on December 13^th, 2009.

The followed him and a chase ensued for more than 30kms with McDermott reaching speeds of up to 180kph.

The pursuit ended when McDermott, 25, smashed head-on into a marked patrol car at Lisfannon, Burt.

Garda Gary McLoughlin, 24, the driver of the patrol car, died the next day as a result of his injuries in hospital.

Prosecuting barrister Alex Owens SC said in summing up there was enough evidence to reach a verdict of involuntary manslaughter.

He said McDermott’s average speed during the pursuit across Donegal was 150 kph or 93mph.

“That speaks for itself what was going on. He was driving after he had been drinking and while he was disqualified from driving.

“This was a decision taken by the accused,” he said.

He also added that it was only by chance that McDermott did not come across any members of the public while travelling at such high speeds.

However defence barrister Peter Finlay SC said there was simply not enough evidence to find a verdict of manslaughter against McDermott.

He said Garda evidence stated that the minimum speed during the crash was between 51 and 59 kph – within the speed limit.

He also said the jury should not be influenced by the fact that the victim was a member of An Garda Siochana.

“Just because the injured person was a guard cannot influence your decision and that is said without the slightest disrespect to the force.

“I am not turning this into some Garda bashing exercise but it’s my duty to point out the facts. If that was the head of a Government or a labourer with a shovel on his back, it does not matter a wit in the eyes of the law.

“You cannot say I want to help the Gardai here if you are to truthfully follow the Oath,” he said.

In summing up Judge John O’Hagan said the fact that Gary McLoughlin was a Garda should not influence their verdict.

“You must look at the case in the cold light of day. You are not deciding this case to keep anyone happy.

“You are here to apply the law and bring in a true verdict according to the evidence,” he said.

After McDermott was found guilty of both charges, Judge John O’Hagan passed sentence.

He was told that the accused had 91 previous convictions – many of which were for traffic offences including drink driving as well as burglary and forgery.

He jailed McDermott to 8 years in prison for the manslaughter charge and suspended the last year.

He sentenced him to a further 5 years for the reckless endangerment to Garda Bernard McLaughlin.

On the dangerous driving causing death charge which McDermott pleaded guilty to, he was sentenced to 5 years and disqualified form driving for 20 years.

He received a further six months for drink driving, another 6 months for having no insurance and a further six months I jail for driving while disqualified.

All sentences are to run concurrently.

Judge John O’Hagan said he wanted to send out a message to all young drivers about their consequences of their actions.

Donegal Senior Football Manager Jim Mc Guinness is denying that a rift has opened between  himself and County Board Chairman PJ Mc Gowan.

Suggestions of a rift increased when it emerged the bill for the players’ overnight stay in the Slieve Russell Hotel the night before the Ulster Final last Sunday was paid not by the County Board, but by London based businessman Tony Mc Fadden.

A picture in today’s Donegal Democrat shows a handshake between Mr Mc Guinness and PJ Mc Gowan during the post match celebrations in Donegal Town, with the manager seeming to be avoiding eye contact.

However, Jim Mc Guinness says while he has had issues with some County Board members, PJ Mc Gowan isn’t one of them…………….

The CEO of the HSE say that Letterkenny General Hospital will have to meet a 7% reduction in it’s volume of work to keep within budget this year.

Cathal Mc Gee was responding to Donegal Deputy Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue at a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee this afternoon.

Deputy Mc Conalogue said it appears that Letterkenny General Hospital is being punished for being efficient, and it’s now facing a budgetary overrun.

Mr Mc Gee told the committee that the reason the hospital is facing a budgetary crisis is that it is doing too much…………

A 41-year-old Derry man has appeared in court charged with causing a bomb scare that resulted in more than £20,000 in lost trade last Tuesday.

39-year-old Martin Stokes of Barr’s Lane, Derry was charged with claiming there was an explosive device behind Specsavers on Ferryquay Street.

The court heard that an employee in the shop received a phone call claiming that there was a device at the back of the shop shortly after 10 on Tuesday morning.

The caller claimed it would explode 45 minutes later. The shop was evacuated and the street sealed off.

Police later traced two mobile phone calls to the shop and one of them was from a phone registered to the defendant’s wife.

Stokes was arrested yesterday and a police officer said he was unable to give a reasonable explanation of where he was at the time of the bomb warning.

The court was told that the City Centre Manager estimated the revenue lost to have been around £20,000 and there was substantial use of police resources as well including a helicopter.

Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter said that these bomb hoaxes caused disruption to everyone.

He released Stokes on £500 bail and ordered him not to possess a mobile phone.

Stokes will appear again on September 15.

The youth organisation Foróige has confirmed that Michael Ferry worked as a volunteer at one of its clubs.

Foróige said Ferry, worked with children for the organisation in Co Donegal between 1984 and 1987.

A spokeswoman said the group had been contacted by both the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the gardaí to make them aware of the revelations.

The spokeswoman went to say that Foróige wishes to assure the public that child protection is a priority for the organisation.

The HSE says it is is reviewing its involvement in relation to the case of Michael Ferry to establish that all appropriate actions were taken by both the former North Western Health Board and the HSE.

The executive is also urging anyone who may have been abused to seek counselling.

In a statement this afternoon, the HSE said it will review all elements of the Michael Ferry case in whichc it and and the old North Western Health Board may have had an involvement.

This review will be carried out in line with the HSE’s National Incident Management Policy.

In the aftermath of the recent extensive media coverage of the case of Michael Ferry, the HSE is encouraging individuals and families who have experienced sexual abuse to avail of counselling services.

Services can be accessed through local GPs, the North West Regional Counselling Service in Letterkenny on 1800 234 119 or the Donegal Rape Crisis Centre at 1800 448 844

David Norris says he’s on track to be nominated to run for the Aras.

The Independent Senator now has 13 of the 20 Oireachtas members required – including eight Independent TDs.

But he says he’ll also make a fresh bid to secure four local authorities in September in case he can’t make the 20 TDs or Senators.

One of the those to back him is Donegal South-West Deputy Thomas Pringle….

A former Detective Garda and author of the book ‘Breaking the Silence says that it is his belief that a paedophile ring was operating in West Donegal.

Martin Ridge, who investigated the notorious child abuser Eugene Greene, was speaking today on the Shaun Doherty Show.

He says that he knows of a number of paedophiles in the area that worked with children and had met each other, however he said that why they met and what they may have exchanged, was hard to prove.

He also slammed the authorities response to the child abuse issue:
 

The budgtary situation at Letterkenny General and other hospitals around the state is coming under the microscope today, with members of the Oireachtas Health Committee questioning HSE CEO Cathal Mc Gee and Minister James Reilly.

Donegal North East Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue, a member of the committee says he will be raising Letterkenny General at the meeting, and wants specific answers about local services rather than stock answers about the national situation.

He spoke to us as he entered the meeting……….

Donegal’s All Ireland quarter final prospects have been dealt a severe blow with Dermot “Brick” Molloy ruled out with a knee injury. Molloy picked up the injury playing for Naomh Conaill, in a U21 club championship game on Tuesday night against St. Eunan’s in the O’Donnell Park. A scan on Wednesday revealed damage to his knee and he has been told by the medics that he will be out for at least six weeks. An influential figure coming off the bench in all four championship games to date, he scored the clinching goal against Tyrone in the Ulster semi final. His absence is a setback and will reduce Jim Mc Guinness’ options.