Man drove on wrong side of road

A 31-year-old man has been convicted of drink driving after he was spotted by gardaí driving on the wrong side of the road early in the morning.

Jakub Hruby, 175 Waterville Crescent, Tom Bellew Avenue, was summonsed for drink driving, refusal/failure to provide a breath specimen, no insurance, failure to produce insurance and dangerous driving arising out of an incident on Tom Bellew Avenue.

At the outset of the hearing solicitor Paula Tiernan said an interpreter was not called to the station after an arrest was made.

Her client has very limited English and all consultations with him have been through an interpreter.

Gda Aidan Moran gave evidence that he spoke with Hruby when he was arrested and he answered all of his questions in English.

He said he had had a few drinks but was not sure how much. He was offered an interpreter and refused.

Judge Coughlan dismissed the refusal/ failure to provide a specimen charge.

Garda Damien Cronin said that at 2.13am on 26 November, 2016, while on mobile patrol he saw a blue Vauxhall Astra exit Woodbury Gardens, turn right and go the wrong way on a roundabout before travelling on the incorrect side of the road.

He stopped the vehicle. He got a strong smell of drink from the driver, his speech was slurred, he had glazed eyes and was unsteady on his feet.

Gda Cronin continued he arrested Jakub Hruby at 2.20am. He produced a driving licence at the scene and nominated Dundalk station to produce other documentation.

Ms Tiernan said the same submission applies. He didn’t understand the demand made of him. She pointed out her client, who needs his licence for his job in advertising with National Pen, had no insurance.

The garda added he had several conversations with the accused during the night.

Judge Coughlan convicted Hruby of drink driving, for which he imposed a four-year disqualification and €100 fine. A fine of €75 was handed down for no insurance. The other charges were taken into account.