Bans for speeding drivers imposed at Kilkenny Court

A leading judge has imposed driving bans on several speeding drivers who were before Kilkenny District Court.

Judge Geraldine Carthy told the court that she had to have regard for recent tragedies that have occurred on the roads and take some responsibility for enforcing the road traffic laws.

The judge’s comments to the court were made on National Slow Down Day which saw 865 people detected speeding across the country.

At Kilkenny District Court on Monday Judge Carthy imposed a fine of €750 and a three month driving ban on a man who admitted driving at a speed of 175 kilometres per hour in a 120 zone.

The court heard that on the date in question there was a strong crosswind and the road was wet. When the defendant was stopped by a garda he was unable to provide a reason or explanation for the speed he was travelling at.

His solicitor, Chris Hogan said that ‘there is no reason why anyone would drive at that speed’ adding that his client had ‘a lapse in concentration’ and didn’t realise the speed.

The defendant has no penalty points or previous convictions.

“He has learned a valuable lesson,” added Mr Hogan.

Judge Carthy said that she was imposing a disqualification order because the speed was ‘simply inexcusable’.

“Had you collided with a third party or an object you wouldn’t be standing here today,” she added.

In a separate matter before the court on Monday Judge Carthy banned another driver for three months and fined him €500 after he was convicted of driving at a speed of 118 kilometres per hour in an 80 kilometre zone. 

Judge Carthy also imposed driving bans on a number of other drivers who were before the court for speeding.

One driver was handed down a three month ban and a €500 fine for driving at a speed of 162kph in a 120zone on the M9 at Kilkeasey, Kilkenny on February 16. A two month ban and a €300 fine was also handed down to a driver caught driving at 145kph in a 120 kph zone at Jordanstown, Kilkenny on January 31.