Man gets driving ban following Kildare crash
Dublin Road, Athy Photo: Google Maps
A man who crashed through a traffic island after going to buy phone coverage after a drink with colleagues was disqualified for two years and fined a total of €800 for his troubles.
Athy District Court heard how Robert Dobson (43), originally from Belfast, but with digs in Forest Farm, Athy while working in Kildare, crashed through the traffic island on the Dublin Road on 23 August 2024. When breathalysed after the collision, he returned a reading of 52 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. He had one previous conviction from over ten years ago, according to Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.
“He wasn’t injured,” said the sergeant.
Solicitor Brian Duffy explained his northern origins and why he was in Athy — to work as a pipe fitter.
“On the night in question, he had a couple of drinks with colleagues, who had dropped him home to his digs,” he said.
“Because he needed international coverage on his phone, he decided to drive the two miles to get it, and that’s when the accident happened."
He added: “He has done volunteer work in Uganda."
Judge Desmond Zaidan fined Mr Dobson €400 for the drink-driving, as well as a mandatory two-year ban, and fined him a further €400 for the careless driving charge.
“You’re very fortunate you didn’t hurt yourself, you’re a really lucky man,” the judge concluded.
