THREE YEAR DRIVING BAN FOR MAN (25)
A 25-year-old welder has been fined €75 and disqualified from driving for three years, after he refused to provide a breath specimen to gardaí.
Jason Lambe, Carnroe, Kilkerley, contested the charge which arose when he was followed by gardaí in the early hours of the morning.
Garda Barry Kelly gave evidence that at 2.30am on 19 May, 2017, he saw a red VW Passat coming towards him on Castletown Road, Dundalk.
It appeared to be travelling at speed, and the officer turned and followed this car onto the Ecco Road. The driver then turned sharply into Ashling Park.
Gda. Kelly continued he saw the car stop, and he pulled up beside it.
He observed the driver, Jason Lambe. The ignition was off, and the keys removed.
Gda. Kelly said he got a smell of drink from the defendant as he looked for his driving licence.
A male passenger in the car also appeared intoxicated.
The officer made a demand for a breath specimen, and Lambe replied he wouldn’t give one, as he wasn’t driving the car.
He was asked again, and when once more failing to com- ply, Gda. Kelly said he arrested him.
Under cross-examination by defence solicitor, Roger McGinley, the guard said he lost sight of the Passat briefly when he turned to go after it, and again when it turned.
It was the only vehicle on the road at the time.
Mr. McGinley submitted Gda. Kelly gave evidence of losing sight of the car on two occasions.
However, Judge Coughlan said he was going to convict, and heard Jason Lambe has no previous convictions.
The judge made an order as outlined.