Disqualified drunk driver who left garda with "life changing" issues is jailed after appeal

A man convicted of driving his car at gardaí has been jailed following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Paul McGillion, aged 33 and resident at Ard Caoin, Manorcunningham, County Donegal, pleaded guilty in Letterkenny to reckless endangerment, dangerous driving, drink-driving, and driving without insurance and a valid licence on 25 July 2015. He received a wholly suspended three-year sentence in May 2017. The Court of Appeal found the original sentence unduly lenient and imposed a new three-year term with the final two years suspended. Mr Justice Alan Mahon noted that Garda Michael Kilcoyne sustained severe injury with life-changing consequences during the incident. The judge stated that offences involving driving a vehicle at gardaí performing their duties demanded a custodial element. McGillion's significant rehabilitation and employment record were acknowledged but could not justify a wholly non-custodial sentence given the gravity of the offence and his history of relevant convictions.