Rathvilly man drove at 124kph and failed to stop for gardaí
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A MAN who was clocked driving at 124kph in an 80kph zone before failing to stop for gardaí and driving through a stop sign has been handed a suspended sentence.
Stefan Dunne, Fr Cullen Terrace, Rathvilly pleaded guilty to three section 53 dangerous driving charges at Carlow District Court last week, while a speeding summons was struck out.
The court heard that on 10 April 2025, Garda Byrne was conducting a speed check on the R755 at Shillelagh, Co Wicklow when Mr Dunne’s vehicle was recorded traveling at 124kph in an 80kph speed zone. The vehicle failed to stop for gardaí and drove beyond the garda to a crossroads towards Carlow. The court heard that the 35-year-old Mr Dunne drove through a stop sign, crossing the R727 regional road.
The defendant has 25 previous convictions, the most recent being for possession of drugs for sale or supply, for which he received five months’ imprisonment. He also has seven previous convictions for road traffic offences, but none for dangerous driving.
Solicitor Joe Farrell noted that “the gardaí have been very kind to drop some of the charges”, adding that Mr Dunne “panicked on the day”.
“He is validly on the road and has insurance,” Mr Farrell said, adding that his client had asked him to apologise on his behalf to the court and “regrets what happened on the day”.
“This incident is unfortunately sticking out,” he said, noting that the seriousness was “not lost on us and not lost on the court.
“He knows he will face a lengthy ban, but he is hoping not to get a custodial sentence.”
Judge Geraldine Carthy noted that the offences had all taken place on the same day, overtaking a camera van and driving through a stop sign.
“There is no reasonable reason as to why this man drove the way he did. You’re saying that he was panicked? It doesn’t really make sense,” Judge Carthy said.
“Any person that drives to such an extent is not just putting themself at risk but other third parties.”
Judge Carthy convicted and sentenced Mr Dunne to a five months’ custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was disqualified from driving for four years in total.
