Man convicted for fishtailing in shopping centre car park
A YOUNG Fanad man who performed doughnuts and fishtailed a car in Letterkenny Shopping Centre car park while stores were still open has been convicted of careless driving.
Yehor Danilov (20), St Patrick’s Barn, Leatbeag, Ballyheerin, Fanad appeared before Letterkenny District Court on Monday charged with dangerous driving following the incident on the evening of January 3, 2026.
The court heard that Danilov was driving a silver car with three passengers when he fishtailed the vehicle at speed and performed four or five doughnut manoeuvres while customers were still parked in the car park. Fishtailing is a dangerous manoeuvre where the rear end of a car is made to slide from side to side.
Defending solicitor Michael Shiel told the court that the offence was borderline careless rather than dangerous driving, noting his client had been at the far end of the car park where fewer cars were parked.
He added that the vehicle was taxed and insured, that Danilov had no previous convictions, had entered a guilty plea, and had completed a pro-social drivers course.
The court also heard that Danilov had recently started a new job in Kilmacrennan and relied on his car to get there.
Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court the State was not objecting to a reduction in charge from dangerous to careless driving, and that “it is in the courts hands.”
Judge Emile Doyle said her initial view had been that reducing the charge was inappropriate, but took into account the defendant’s age, his clean record, and the State’s position.
She said Danilov had “made an error showing off” and convicted him of the lesser charge of careless driving, imposing a fine of €800 with six months to pay.