BMW driver admits careless driving twice in month on Laois roads

An engineer who twice drove carelessly in his BMW has avoided a four year disqualification. 

Jackson Sabu (28) of 18 Oak Manor, Drumgola Wood, Cavan admitted careless driving on the N77 at Granafellow, Abbeyleix on September 30, 2024 at Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix on August 30, 2024. 

A previous sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told the defendant was driving a blue 171D registered BMW and was “tailgating on both occasions” and on one of the occasions he overtook on a white line. 

At that sitting, Judge  Andrew Cody had said he had no choice but to impose a mandatory four year driving ban in relation to the second careless driving offence. However, Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick disagreed and asked for a short adjournment to prepare her defence. 

When the case returned she produced case law which she said showed the mandatory four year ban only arose for a third conviction. 

Judge Cody said the case she referred to related to a trial over careless driving causing death.  

“I will have to look at that section because that refers to a trial on indictment,” said Judge Cody. 

On reading the documents, Judge Cody noted there was some “inconsistency” in the legislation. He said he would still need some “special reason” why a disqualification should not be imposed. 

“He is pleading guilty to two counts. He still needs to have a special reason,” Judge Cody told Ms Fitzpatrick. 

She said her client works as an engineer and he needs to drive “up and down the country” for his work. She said he was involved in software based research and his work was of benefit in particular during the Covid pandemic. She brought a letter from his employer and his CV for the judge to read. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was a hard working man who sends money home to his parents in India. She said he had pleaded guilty to the offending. Ms Fitzpatrick also explained that the man had three penalty points and would now receive a further five points for each of the careless driving offences meaning he will have 13 points leading to an automatic six month driving ban.”He is very well regarded by his employer,” she added.  

Judge Cody fined the man a total of €1,000 but said he would not impose a disqualification.