Open whiskey bottle found in car after motorway crash with lorry in Laois 

An open bottle of Powers Whiskey was found on the front seat of a car that collided with an articulated lorry on the motorway in Laois.

Wiktor Nowak (31) of 19 Roseberry Hill, Newbridge, Co Kildare admitted drunk driving, dangerous driving and driving without insurance or licence on the M7 at Farharragh, Mountrath on August 25, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the defendant was driving a 10CN registered car that collided with an articulated lorry on the date in question. He said gardai discovered an open bottle of Powers Whiskey on the passenger seat of the crashed car and the defendant was arrested.  He was taken to a garda station where a blood sample was taken which showed he was over the limit. He said the man had one previous conviction for driving under the influence. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty to the offences. The man is a Polish national who has been in Ireland for ten years and  was an electrician by trade. He said the man was serving a two and a half year prison sentence which had been handed down by Naas Circuit Court. He said the man was due for release in August this year. 

Judge  Andrew Cody disqualified the man for a total of six years and imposed fines totaling €300.