Driver travelling double the speed limit keeps licence at Kildare court
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN convicted of speeding at more than twice the limit was fined €1,000, but managed to keep his licence and was told he was “lucky”.
Alexander Jordan (29) gave an address in Timperley, Altrincham, North Manchester, Lancashire.
He was appearing in Athy District Court to plead guilty to speeding at Kilmead, Athy on 30 November when he was clocked at 122kph in a 60kph zone.
“My client has no previous convictions, it was 11.40am, conditions were dry, and there was no traffic,” said his solicitor Jacqui McManus.
“It was the main Dublin Road, and he was kinda rushing to work,” she explained.
“He is very ashamed and you won’t see hi in court again,” she said.
She pleaded for a reduction in the charge from dangerous driving (S53) to careless driving (S52).
“He didn’t know what speed he was doing,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan reading the arrest report.
“You were doing twice the limit, and that shows a serious lack of understanding on your behalf,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” said the defendant.
“Don’t apologise to me,” said the judge.
“We’re losing so many people on the roads in comparison to murder and manslaughter,” he noted.
“A car is a killing machine, or can cause life-changing injuries like being paralysed from the neck down,” he added.
“The DPP has no objections [ to the lessening of the charge],” said Sergeant Dave Hanrahan quite generously.
“You are very fortunate,” said the judge as he convicted Jordan of the lesser charge.
He fined him €1,000, giving him three months to pay.
“He is lucky I didn’t send him to jail, and that he gets to keep his licence,” said the judge.
