Moldovan Mercedes driver fined €300 for speeding near Offaly border

A DRIVER was fined €300 at Tullamore District Court after Judge Andrew Gubbins heard he had been travelling at excessive speed on the M6 motorway.

Garda Cathal Daly, Moate Garda Station, told the court he was conducting a speed check on the M6 at Demesne/Mearsparkfarm, Co Westmeath at 3.04pm on April 3 last and stopped a 2010 Dublin registered silver Mercedes Benz E Series which was being driven at 150km/h in a 12km/h zone.

The driver gave his name and address as Alexandru Berdaga (33), Castlegate Park, Adamstown, Castle Estate, Lucan and while a fixed charge notice was issued, it was not paid.

Garda Daly said Mr Berdaga had no previous convictions.

Mr Berdaga appeared in court wearing a high viz jacket but was unrepresented and while he identified himself to the court, Judge Gubbins said he was not satisfied he understood the proceedings.

Mr Berdaga indicated he was from Moldova and said he understood English and spoke Romanian and a number of other languages.

A Romanian speaking interpreter then assisted him and after Garda Daly repeated his evidence Mr Berdaga said that though the fixed charge notice had been received at his address his wife had sent him pictures of it but then lost it. He said he had been unable to pay it.

Judge Gubbins said he was satisfied Mr Berdaga had received the notice and had not paid the penalty and fined him €300.

(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)