Hotel worker given one month to come up with €1,000
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court
A driver detected speeding on the motorway was described as a "lunatic" by a judge last week.
The comment was made at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court by Judge Andrew Cody, when a part-time worker at a hotel was summoned before it for speeding.
The young man pleaded guilty to driving at a speed of 161kph in a 120kph zone on the M8 at The Great Heath, Portlaoise on 7 November last.
Defending barrister Anne Doyle said that she had never seen a client “so fearful of coming to court”.
She said her client had just purchased an Audi car and was excited driving it on the day.
She said the 20-year-old works in the hospitality sector and parks cars for its customers on occasion.
Ms Doyle said: “He was 19 at the time. It was pure stupidity. He has never been in court before and can assure you he will never be in court again. I believe he has learned a very valuable lesson. If he loses his driving licence his position will be in doubt.”
Addressing the court, the defendant said: “I sold the car, because the engine was too big and got a smaller car.”
Ms Doyle said that her client was willing to donate €500 to the court poor box in return for the court considering not imposing a prosecution.
Rejecting that offer, Judge Cody said: “I’ll give him one month to come up with €1,000, if he wants to avoid a prosecution.”
The judge adjourned the case for finalisation to 16 October and said that, should Mr Bah-Jalloh have the €1,000 on that date, it should be donated to the Monasterevin Boy Scouts who are currently modernising their unit.
