Limerick man told court he had a 'few drinks' when accused of drink driving

A MAN who drove after having a few drinks to celebrate his mother's birthday has been convicted and disqualified from driving.

Garda Errol Flynn told Newcastle West District Court that he was on duty in the square in Dromcollogher on July 7, 2025. 

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He observed a vehicle travelling at what he described as “excessive speed.”

Garda Flynn followed the vehicle and the vehicle sped up, so the gardaí activated patrol lights and indicated to the driver to stop. 

The court heard that both the NCT and tax were out of date.

“I got a smell of alcohol from his breath, his face appeared flushed and I formed the opinion that he had consumed alcohol,” Garda Flynn told Judge Carol Anne Coolican. 

Denis O'Carroll (53) with an address in St Joseph's Park, Dromcollogher appeared before Judge Coolican charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. 

The court heard that Mr O'Carroll failed a roadside breath sample test and that he was cautioned and arrested under suspicion of drink driving and brought to Rathkeale garda station. 

Two further breath sample tests in the garda station showed that he had 64mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system, putting him over the legal limit for driving. 

Solicitor for Mr O'Carroll, Charlie O'Connor argued that it would be very difficult for his client to be driving at speed through the square in Dromcollogher. 

“I wasn't doing a speed check, but there is a limit of 50km and when he passed my vehicle, it appeared he was driving at excessive speed,” Garda Flynn told the court. 

He added that this is what prompted him to stop the driver and drew his attention to the vehicle. 

Taking to the stand himself, Mr O'Carroll told the court that he had been at home celebrating his mother's birthday and went to Centra in Dromcollogher “to get a few bits.”

He told Inspector Barry Manton, prosecuting for the State, that he did see the garda car. 

When asked by the inspector if he had been drinking at home, Mr O'Carroll replied that he had had “a few bottles”, with the inspector pointing out that it's illegal to drive after consuming alcohol. 

The court heard he has three previous convictions, including one in 2022 for driving under the influence of alcohol and he was disqualified from driving at the time for three years.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican convicted Mr O'Carroll of driving under the influence of alcohol.  

He was disqualified from driving for two years, which will come into effect on April 13.  He was fined €600 and was given 12 months to pay.