Driving ban for man ‘dangerously driving in an uninsured car while over the limit’ - Kilkenny Court

A motorist has been fined and disqualified from driving following convictions for drink driving and dangerous driving.

Dylan Butlers, Ballintogher, Killenaule, pleaded guilty to the charges, and a third charge of driving without insurance, at Kilkenny District Court.

Gardaí attended the scene of a collision on October 16, 2024, at Great Oak, Callan. Mr Butlers admitted to the gardaí he had been driving. He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and a breath test showed a level of 43mcg of alcohol per 100mls of breath.

Judge Geraldine Carthy was told the dangerous driving charge had been directed because of the circumstances of the collision.

Mr Butlers lost control of his vehicle on a bend, turned it sideways into the opposite lane and caused a collision with an oncoming vehicle. The other vehicle had taken evasive action but could not avoid the impact.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said his client remained at the scene and was co-operative with gardaí. Mr Butlers had just bought the car, the solicitor added. He had a learner permit and had not yet got the car insured.

Mr Hogan said his client had attended a funeral in Waterford and was bringing a friend home. He ‘took a risk’ on the day.

His client works as an agri-contractor, Mr Hogan told the court.

Over the limit

Judge Carthy said an aggravating factor in the case was that Mr Butlers was ‘dangerously driving in an uninsured car, and was over the limit’.

On the charge of drink driving the defendant was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for one year.

A fine of €250 and a driving disqualification of two years was imposed on the dangerous driving conviction, with an additional fine of €250 handed down for not having insurance.