Mechanic crashed dangerously defective car in Laois

A mechanic who crashed his car in Portarlington refused to give garda a breath sample. 

Colin Murphy, 31, with an address at Rathbride Road, Kildare town, Kildare was arrested at Corrig, Portarlington on July 28 last. 

Garda Seamus O’Connor said the defendant crashed on a “particularly severe” bend at Corrig, Portarlington. He said the defendant was “stumbling” on the road trying to divert traffic after the crash. 

Garda O’Connor said the defendant was unable to provide a breath sample as he was breathing through his nose and not blowing into the roadside test.

He described the man’s temperament at Portlaoise Garda Station as “erratic”. 

“He pulled the light fitting off the wall,” said Garda O’Connor. 

When gardai again attempted to take a sample they were unable as the man was “breathing around the tube through his nose” at the station.    

“When he was leaving the station he did apologise,” said Garda O’Connor. 

He said a subsequent examination of the defendant’s car revealed it was “dangerously defective” with two bald front tyres. 

Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy said his client has been struggling with addiction and was pleading guilty to all of the offences.

“He behaved out of character on the night,” Mr McCarthy said.

He asked that the man who has no prior convictions be directed to the probation services so that he can access treatment more easily. 

Judge Andrew Cody adjourned the matter to Portlaoise District Court on January 5 for an probation and welfare report.