Motorist clocked driving at 176kph on the M9
Carlow Courthouse
A MOTORIST who was clocked travelling at 176kph was banned from driving for two years and fined when he appeared before Carlow District Court last week. Conor Murphy, Highfield, Knocknagor, Coolcullen via Carlow admitted driving at 176kph on the M9 near Ballybar on 8 May.
In court, arresting garda James Miller said that 20-year-old Mr Murphy was charged with one count of dangerous driving as a result of the speed he was going.
Solicitor Chris Hogan told Judge Geraldine Carthy that Mr Murphy fully co-operated with the garda, that he had no previous convictions and that he worked with an agricultural contractor and so needed his licence for work.
“There’s absolutely no excuse; he should not have been driving at that speed,” said Mr Hogan, before asking the judge to reduce the charge to careless driving so his client would avoid a disqualification. He added that Mr Murphy had told his employers about the court case and since the incident has attended an awareness course for drivers.
Judge Carthy said that she was not prepared to reduce the charge to careless driving and said that the defendant’s behaviour was “inexcusable”.
“He put himself and others at risk,” she said, before banning Mr Murphy for two years and fining him €800.
Recognisances were fixed for appeal purposes.
