Speeding motorist clocked at 139kph in his sports car is fined €450 in court

A speeding motorist who was clocked at 139 kilometres per hour in Inishowen last year has been fined €450 in court.

Nathan Canning, of 85 Earhart Park, Derry, failed to appear before Buncrana District Court to answer a charge against him of exceeding the national road speed limit.

Judge Emile Daly directed that the case, which had already been adjourned twice, could go ahead however, after being informed that the 28-year-old defendant had been notified.

Garda Shaun Tully was sworn in to give evidence in the uncontested hearing.

He told the court that he had been operating a speed check in a 100 kilometre zone at Castleforward, Newtowncunningham, on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 2.35pm, when he detected a vehicle travelling at 139 kilometres per hour.

That’s the equivalent of driving at more than 86 miles per hour in a 60mph zone.

The vehicle in question was a 2013-registered white Audi TT Quattro sports car.

Garda Tully stopped the car, and the driver, who was Mr Canning, produced a Northern Ireland driving licence.

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A fixed charge penalty notice was subsequently issued to the accused in the post, but it was not paid.

The court heard how the initial fine for the offence would have been €160, which rises to €320 if it’s not paid in time. If you fail to take the second option to pay, the matter then progresses to court.

Judge Daly fined Mr Canning €450 for the offence, giving him four months to lodge the money with the Court Service.