Tipperary motorist going to 'visit a friend' caught doing 175km/h on the motorway

A driver who was caught travelling at 175km/h on the motorway outside Nenagh had a charge of dangerous driving reduced to careless driving at Nenagh District Court.

Niamh Ryan, 19, of Carrigal, Ballywilliam, pleaded to the lesser charge at Ballywilliam on November 1, 2023.

Sgt Michael Murphy told the court that Ms Ryan had been detected at 12.50am and while there was no other traffic on the carriageway the road had been wet.

She had been co-operative with the gardaí following her arrest, said Sgt Murphy.

Kenny Kerins, BL, for Ms Ryan agreed with Sgt Murphy’s assessment of driving conditions on the night.

“This was a single moment that could have been catastrophic,” said Mr Kerins.

He said that Ms Ryan had since completed two driver safety courses and her vehicle was limited to 120km/h.

“She is hard working and at college. In all other areas of her life she is fully compliant,” he said.

Mr Kerins explained to the court that the reason for Ms Ryan’s speed was that she had been going into Limerick at the time to meet a friend.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath said that she would “reluctantly” agree to the lesser charge of careless driving.

The saving grace for Ms Ryan had been that she had completed driver safety courses, she said.

Judge MacGrath fined Ms Ryan €750 and set recognizance in her own bond of €250.