A Dungannon man who said he reached speeds of 105mph and undertook police as he was “late for his children” has been issued a short disqualification for his “very odd driving”.
Deividas Miskinis – of an address in Beechville Heights – appeared via video link with his solicitor, Mr Falloon in Craigavon Magistrates’ Court to answer to a single charge of driving with excess speed.
Outlining the facts of the case, the prosecution said on June 14, 2026 police observed the defendant driving a silver BMW along the M1 from Junction 14 at Tamnamore towards the M12 off-slip.
During the time the car was being observed, it was driving in excess of 105mph before slowing once aware of police presence to 90mph for approximately seven miles.
It then accelerated again to above 90mph as it left the M1 and began to undertake the police car.
The police then stopped the defendant, who identified himself as Miskinis. He was cautioned for the offence and advised he should seek legal advice.
Mr Fallon, said his client was aware it was “far too high a speed”.
In mitigation, the lawyer said: “He’s a married man with young children and was late collecting his children. His sister had been looking after them and he stupidly then exceeded the limit in his rush to get there.”
The court heard that Miskinis has been resident in Northern Ireland for 19 years and currently has three points on his licence.
He works as a window fitter for residential and commercial properties, for which a licence is required as part of his job. His employer also provided a reference to the court on Miskinis’ behalf.
Mr Falloon mentioned that Miskinis also has a matter pending for a fixed penalty notice for driving at 50mph in a 40mph zone and said “the points may put him off the road for some time” and therefore asked the court to consider a short disqualification.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “It’s a very odd piece of driving. I’m assuming the police car wasn’t marked given what Mr Miskinis was doing speeding up, tailgating and speeding up again?
“Disqualification is probably inevitable in any regard given the nature of his driving but I will temper that disqualification given your input on his behalf today.”
The judge did give Miskinis credit for his guilty plea, for instructing a solicitor and for his reference which spoke to a “valued employee”.
Miskinis was issued with a two week disqualification from driving and ordered to pay a £300 fine with a £15 offenders’ levy.
He was granted 15 weeks’ time to pay and a standard collection order was made.
