Speeding detection earns drug-driver five-year ban

A drug-driver has been put off the road for five years after being caught speeding in Donegal.

Jonathan Timoney roused the attention of gardai, who detected a silver Audi A6 traveling at 157km/h at Raymoghey, Manorcunningham on April 4, 2021.

Gardai were operating a speed check at the time when they detected Timoney at 2.06pm. The road in question is governed by a 100km/h speed limit.

Gardai stopped the vehicle and upon approaching Timoney Garda Marcus O’Dowd said he was ‘very confused looking and his hands were shaking’.

Garda O’Dowd formed the opinion that Timoney, a 29-year-old with an address at Carricklyn Avenue, Strabane, was driving under the influence of an intoxicant. 

A roadside breath test returned a positive reading for the presence of cocaine in Timoney’s system.

Timoney was arrested and conveyed to Letterkenny garda station. A specimen of blood was taken by an approved nurse and returned a positive reading for cocaine. An alcohol reading of 41 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, which is within the legal drink-drive limit.

Timoney was not present at Letterkenny District Court when his case was heard.

Judge Ciaran Liddy said he found the facts proven and noted Timoney’s failure to appear.

In convicting the accused, Judge Liddy said he had to also take into account the speed at which Timoney was driving. Judge Liddy disqualified Timoney from driving for a period of five years and fined him €500, with three months to pay.