"Great concern" that man drove at 154kph on Kilkenny road ‘bringing car to new owner’

Kilkenny District Court heard that Nicholas Patrick O’Donovan, 86 Ashbrook, The Moyne Enniscorthy, was detected by a garda check point at Jordanstown on the M9 on July 22 last. The speed limit for the road was 120kph.

At approximately 1.10pm Garda Mark Hobson Shaw observed the car. He stopped the vehicle and spoke to Mr O’Donovan who said he had sold the car and was delivering it to a customer.

A fixed charge penalty was issued but not paid.

The court heard Mr O’Donovan had two previous convictions - for careless driving and drink driving.

Mr O’Donovan was not in court but Judge Geraldine Carthy said she was satisfied with proofs including the delivery of the fixed charge penalty. “Unfortunately that was ignored,” she observed.

The speed of the vehicle “causes great concern to the court,” the judge added, saying Mr O’Donovan had not only put himself at risk but also other road users.

Convicting the defendant, Judge Carthy imposed a fine of €500 and disqualified him from driving for six months.