Athy driver banned for driving twice speed limit
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A 23-YEAR-old caught driving at twice the speed limit in a residential area was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for two years.
Justin Byrne Kelly, Ardrew Drive, Ardrew Meadows, Athy was pulled over by Garda Declan Byrne on the afternoon of 3 December 2025 at a speed checkpoint on the R747 between Baltinglass and Kiltegan. Garda Byrne detected the defendant’s Volkswagen Passat vehicle travelling at 101kph in a 50kph zone.
The garda told Judge Geraldine Carthy at a recent sitting of Carlow District Court that there was a footpath and pedestrians present, “a steady flow” of traffic, a GAA club and residential units on the road where Mr Byrne Kelly was speeding. Judge Carthy said of the location: “I am familiar with it; it’s a very old residential area in my recollection.” After being pulled over, Mr Byrne Kelly acknowledged his speed and apologised. He cleared a test for alcohol or drugs. By means of explanation, he said he was looking at his speed dial in miles per hour and had not noticed how fast he was travelling.
Garda Byrne arrested the defendant for dangerous driving due to speed, an offence contrary to section 53 of the and he was charged upon arrival at Baltinglass Garda Station at 4.25pm that afternoon.
In negotiations prior to the hearing, solicitor Joseph Farrell tried to enter a plea under a careless driving charge for his client, a lesser sentence than a dangerous driving charge, but the gardaí and director of public prosecutions were not prepared to accept this plea.
Garda Byrne acknowledged that Mr Byrne Kelly had not taken evasive action and that the offence related to speed only. He said the weather that day was dry.
Mr Farrell noted that a speed of 101kph is “barely over double” the limit and put it to Garda Byrne that this was a factor in bringing a dangerous driving charge, as opposed to a careless driving charge, which might occur if he was driving at 98kph. Garda Byrne accepted this, and agreed that the vehicle was otherwise in good condition.
As for his client, Mr Farrell said: “He had not noticed (his speed); he should have” and again asked the court to consider a careless driving charge. He said Mr Byrne Kelly was an apprentice and required his licence, that “a disqualification will cost him dearly”. He asked Judge Carthy to give his client credit for how he dealt with the charge.
Judge Carthy replied: “Unfortunately, everyone is all-too-familiar with the statistics on road deaths. I’m not in a position to accept a plea to section 52. He was not only putting himself at risk but other road users and it would be incorrect of this court to reduce the charge. I accept it was a mistake.” Insp Conor Nolan then said Mr Byrne Kelly had one previous conviction from Naas District Court for careless driving and had been fined €350.
“Well, I made the correct decision then,” said Judge Carthy.
She fined the defendant €500 and imposed a two-year disqualification on him.
