Biker clocked at 185kph is fined and put off the road
Carlow courthouse Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A BIKER who was clocked by gardaí travelling at 185kph was last week convicted and sentenced in Carlow District Court on a dangerous driving charge. Fire security engineer Michael Rees had contested the charge earlier this year when he appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy after he was spotted speeding by gardaí at Rathattin, Hollywood, Co Wicklow on 6 April last year.
Investigating garda Maxwell told the court that Mr Rees (54) overtook two cars in the 100kph zone, at one stage travelling at 185kph.
Solicitor Chris Hogan had told Judge Carthy that his client worked as a fire security engineer and that he needed his licence for his livelihood but also because a family member had cancer and he brought him for treatments.
Last week when Mr Rees was before the court for sentencing, Mr Hogan requested the judge to reduce the charge from dangerous driving to careless driving, because the more serious charge carried a mandatory driving ban. Judge Carthy replied that “there was no doubt that he is guilty of dangerous driving” and that she could not “in all conscience” reduce the charge.
She then put Mr Rees, 11 Woodlawn Court, Santry, Dublin 9 off the road for two years and fined him €1,000. Mr Hogan said that his client would be appealing the sentence.
