Evidence continues in Garda McLoughlin death trial

A former Garda Detective has been accused of reaching excessive speeds during a pursuit which ended in the death of a young Garda.
Garda Gary McLoughlin was killed when another car crashed into the Garda car he was driving in Co Donegal on December 13th 2009.
Garda McLoughlin, 24, died the day after the crash from his injuries.
25 year-old Martin McDermott,of Castlegrove, Raphoe,  is charged with the manslaughter of Garda McLoughlin which he denies.
He admits a number of charges including drink-driving and driving without insurance.
The court heard that McDermott was spotted by Gardai exiting The Grove petrol station at high speed in the Bridgend area of Co Donegal close to the border.
He was then followed for over 31 kilometres by an unmarked Garda patrol car for up to 15 minutes to Newtowncunningham and back towards Derry.
The car was being driven by retired Garda Detective Noel Jones who revealed McDermott had reached speeds of up to 170 kph during the chase on a very frosty night.
Defense barrister Peter Finlay, SC, accused Det Garda Jones of breaking the Garda Code of Conduct in reaching excessive speeds in pursuit of McDermott.
He asked if there was evidence that McDermott had robbed a bank, a petrol station or a shop and was told there was not.
Former Det Garda Jones said he had been a Garda since 1977 and had been placed along the border investigating subversive activity since 1981.
He said his driving was controlled at all times stating he made a call and stood by that call,
Det Garda Jones said he eventually lost sight of the red Opel Astra car but came upon it two minutes later after it had crashed.
The court heard the chase ended when the red Opel Astra car being driven by McDermott hit the marked Garda patrol car being driven by Garda McLoughlin at Lisfannon.
The late Garda McLoughlin’s parents Noel and Una were in court as was his brother Enda and sister Tracey.
The trial continues today