Carlow driver who sped 178kph on motorway gets two-year ban
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN clocked at almost 50 per cent more than the motorway limit avoided a jail sentence, but was banned from driving for two years and fined €750 this week.
“Look at this as a turning point in your life, and be thankful Garda (Deirdre) Barry caught you,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan in Athy District Court.
“I’m not going to send you to jail, but it was a close call,” he said.
He was speaking to Liam Dempsey (30), with an address at Sweeney Park, Tullow Road, Carlow, after he was clocked at 178kph on the M9 at Blackrath, Ballitore on 11 February, 2024.
“He said he was returning from a holiday in Turkey,” said Garda Barry.
“His tax was two months out of date, but the roadside testing was all right."
Defending solicitor Seamus Taaffe said: “It was Sunday morning, quite quiet. He said he was worried about a sick child one month old.
“He has two children, and was fully insured."
“People who come before me for this sort of speed, I will send to jail,” the judge warned.
“We’re losing more people on the roads, than from murder or manslaughter, or assault. That’s a fact of life. Speed kills."
The defendant replied: “I wish to apologise to the court, I lost my grandmother in a car accident. I wasn’t paying attention to my speed."
“If there was a blow-out at that speed I’ll leave to your imagination, but wheelchair or paralysed,” said the judge.
“I am going to convict you of dangerous driving and put you off the road for two years.
"I could fine you the maximum allowed under the legislation which is €5,000, but I’ll reduce that to €750,” ruled the judge.
“Think about your family. You could’ve been paralysed, or lost your life."
