‘Absolutely outrageous driving’ as man caught doing 169km per hour on Longford road

A man who drove at what a Longford District Court judge has called an “absolutely outrageous speed” is due to reappear in September after he has completed a Driver Awareness course.

Alex Cooney, Teevmacreeva, Tibohime, French Park, Roscommon, pleaded guilty to careless driving when he appeared before Judge Marie Keane last Tuesday morning.

Sgt Mark Mahon, for the prosecution, told the court that Gardaí detected Mr Cooney driving at 169km per hour in a 100km zone on the N5 at approximately 9am on February 5, 2022.

In mitigation, the court heard that Mr Cooney had no previous convictions and no previous penalty points. It was also revealed that he had booked a driver awareness course.

It was confirmed the vehicle - a 2007 Alpha Romeo - was in good condition and that Mr Cooney had only sped up to overtake another vehicle.

“What concerns me is (a) the speed and (b) the age of the vehicle,” said Judge Keane.

“I will accept a plea to section 52 (careless driving) and remand him on continuing bail for the driver awareness course until September 6, 2022.

“But if you get as much as a parking ticket between now and then, you can come back here with a toothbrush. That type of driving is absolutely outrageous.”