Laois court hears 197kph Volkswagen driver thought he was back in Germany 

Man who ‘thought he was back in Germany’ drove at 197kph on the motorway in Laois.

Ilie Ungurean, 35, of 1 Tipperary Road, Cahir, Tipperary was charged with dangerous driving on the M7 Motorway at Ballydavis on April 9 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was doing 197kph in 120km zone in a 2016 Volkswagen Passat. Sgt Kirby said there were three other people in the car at the time. He said the defendant has no prior convictions.      

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was a solar panel fitter from Romania.

“He had just returned to Ireland after living for a number of years in Germany and Austria,” he  said. 

Mr Meagher said his client hadn’t driven a vehicle since arriving back in Ireland up to the point when he was caught. He said he had borrowed a friend’s car on the date in question. 

“He effectively thought he was back in Germany,” Mr Meagher said. 

“As you are aware, on the Autobahn there is no limit over there,” he said. 

“That was literally his first activity on an Irish motorway in four years,” he added. 

Mr Meagher said his client was a solar panel fitter earning around €600 a week. He said the man was not in a position to make a large financial contribution. 

Judge Andrew Cody revealed he had recently watched an episode of the television show Top Gear which stated that no safety tests were carried out above 200kph because there was only one consequence.

“Everybody is dead. There is no other outcome,” Judge Cody told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

“That is what this man put himself in the way of,” he said. 

Judge Cody convicted the defendant, fined him €1,000 and disqualified him from driving for two years. He fixed recognisance in case of appeal.