Co Kildare Judge says 'only in Ireland' to drink driving fines lower than no insurance

At Naas District Court the Judge slammed the system of imposing higher fines for no insurance and lower for drink driving.

Superintendent Martin Walker outlined how the accused was stopped by Gardaí during a routine patrol. The accused was found to have a reading of 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Evidence was given that the accused residing in Naas has no previous convictions.

Defence Solicitor Conal Boyce told the court that the accused, married with three children,  is taking the charges very seriously.

Mr Boyce said that the painter and decorator  was driving his friend's car.

The court heard how he has no previous convictions.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said: "This can only happen in Ireland."

The accused was convicted and fined €200 for drink driving and disqualified from driving for six months. For having no insurance, he was convicted and fined €500.

He was convicted and fined €150 for not having a driving licence. He was given five months to pay all of the fines.