Drunk driver reversed out in front of garda patrol car
Carlow courthouse Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A 45-YEAR-old man who reversed a car out in front of a garda patrol vehicle while under the influence of alcohol received a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was disqualified from driving for six years at Carlow District Court. Krzysztof Milewski of no fixed abode appeared before Carlow District Court on Wednesday 17 December, where he was sentenced by Judge Geraldine Carthy.
Garda Ryan gave evidence that on 26 April 2025, while on patrol at Avondale Drive, Carlow town, he witnessed a car reverse out onto the road in front of the patrol car, causing it to swerve to avoid being hit.
Garda Ryan subsequently stopped the vehicle and performed a roadside breath test on Mr Milewski and found there to be 107mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, almost five times over the legal limit.
There was also no insurance on the vehicle.
Defence solicitor John O’Sullivan told the court that, while his client’s “fondness for vodka has no doubt caused a few problems in the past”, his life circumstances have improved massively since the date in question and he now has a place to stay.
The court heard that Mr Milewski had nine previous convictions, all of which were road traffic matters. One of these convictions came as the result of an offence from 2019, where Mr Milewski was disqualified from driving for two years for being over the legal limit for alcohol. He also received a three-month prison sentence and a further four-year disqualification from driving for having no insurance on the same day.
Upon hearing the evidence, Judge Geraldine Carthy said: “The reading is quite stark and quite high. He was highly intoxicated and, thankfully, he did not impact any third party.” However, she did take into account the guilty plea, which, she said, saved Mr Milewski from a custodial sentence.
She convicted and sentenced Mr Milewski to a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, for the offence of driving under the influence, while in respect of the driving with no insurance offence, she convicted and fined him €500 and disqualified him from driving for six years.
