VW Golf driver ‘astonished’ to discover his speed in Portlaoise

A man who was ‘astonished’ to learn he had been driving at 174 kph escaped a disqualification at Portlaoise District Court. 

Owen O’Keeffe, 21, of Drumneen, Stradbally was charged with dangerous driving on the M7 at Ballydavis on April 1 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was driving a VW Golf at 174kph in a 120kph zone on the date in question. He said the speeding was detected at 8.11pm and the weather was dry and visibility was good. 

He said “very reluctantly”, he would accept a lesser charge of careless driving in place of the dangerous driving charge which carries an automatic driving ban. 

Judge John O’Leary asked that the speed be divided by eight and multiplied by five so he could see what it was in miles per hour.  He was told the speed was 108.75 mph. 

“With great reluctance I will accept myself,” Judge O’Leary said of the careless driving charge. 

“This lad is a good lad who is a hard worker,” said Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy.

“He wasn’t a good lad on April 1,” Judge O’Leary pointed out. He said the defendant had put his own life and the lives of others in danger. 

Mr McCarthy said his client has always insured his car and although he had a conviction for having tinted windows, he had no other convictions.  

On the date in question, Mr McCarthy said the defendant had been in a hurry to collect his girlfriend from a salon in Newbridge. He said she had been left without a lift and there had previously been an incident outside the salon. 

“He was astonished to hear the car had gotten up that fast,” said Mr McCarthy. 

Judge O’Leary said he would accept the careless driving and fine the man €400. He said no disqualification would be imposed on this occasion.