Courts

Donovan before west Cork court for failing to provide sample to gardaí

Scottish musician facing charge of being drunk in charge of a vehicle

Donovan, pictured in 2013, during a sound check ahead of his talk about The Beatles' White Album at Trinity College Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Donovan, pictured in 2013, during a sound check ahead of his talk about The Beatles' White Album at Trinity College Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Noel Baker
Tue Mar 28 2023 - 17:14

Sixties singer Donovan is facing charges of being drunk in charge of a vehicle and of failing to provide a sample at a Garda station, with a court in West Cork hearing other charges may follow.

Donovan Leitch (76) with an address at Castlemagner, Kanturk in Co Cork, was not present in Skibbereen District Court when the case was brought before Judge James McNulty.

Mr Leitch has been charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle, contrary to Section 5.1 of the Road Traffic Act, at Aghills in Skibbereen on February 11th of this year.

On the same date, it is alleged that he failed to provide a sample to gardaí at Bantry Garda Station, contrary to Section 12.2 of the Road Traffic Act.

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In court in Skibbereen, Judge James McNulty heard that Mr Leitch’s solicitor, Lettie Baker, had made an application last Thursday in Bantry District Court, excusing her client’s appearance before the court in Skibbereen today.

Sgt Paul Kelly said: “There are additional charges to be preferred.”

Judge McNulty adjourned the matter until May 9th next, when any additional charges will be brought.

The acclaimed songwriter, whose hits include Hurdy Gurdy Man, Mellow Yellow and Sunshine Superman, has lived in Ireland for many years.

The alleged incident on February 11 occurred on the same day he appeared as a guest on a pre-recorded episode of the Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ One. The Scottish-born singer-songwriter talked about a range of subjects including his early fame. “I got this mayhem that the Beatles and other bands were getting, that was extraordinary,” he said. He also performed his song Catch The Wind.