Car was travelling at 20km/h over limit Driver put off the road for eight years

A TIPPERARY barrister was not present in Arklow District Court when she was convicted of a speeding charge last Wednesday.

Mary O’Dwyer (40) 5 Bridge Street, Tipperary, Co Tipperary, faced a charge of exceeding the motorway speed limit on March 26, 2019, at M11 Scratenagh, Arklow. She was not present in court when the case was called.

Solicitor Padraig Hyland said Ms O’Dwyer had requested an adjournment. He told the court she was working at a court hearing in Gorey, Co Wexford.

Judge David Kennedy said the case had been put in for a hearing. The defendant had already been facilitated with this court date.

Later in the day, Judge Kennedy returned to the case. As there had been no appearance by the defendant, he said he would hear the facts.

Garda Pete Byrne gave evidence that on the date in question at 5.25 p.m., a car was recorded travelling at 140km in a 120km zone. The car was stopped and the driver produced her licence. A fixed penalty notice was issued, but not paid. O’Dwyer had no previous convictions.

In cross-examination, Mr Hyland asked Garda Byrne to confirm the notice had issued to the correct address. Garda Byrne confirmed this. He also told the court that it had a postal date of April 4, 2019.

Judge Kennedy imposed a fine of €160 with three months to pay.

A MAN who pleaded guilty to a number of charges relating to a hit and run was fined €750 and disqualified from driving for eight years at Arklow District Court last Wednesday.

Kestustis Gerdziunas (59), 27 Hawthorn Drive, Mountain Bay, Arklow, was charged with failing to remain at the scene of a hit and run, failing to give information, failing to report the hit and run and failing to stop at a hit and run on July 16, 2017, at Hawthorn Drive, Mountain Bay, Arklow.

He was assisted to follow court proceedings by an interpreter. Solicitor John O’Donovan told the court an eight-year disqualification, a €750 fine and three-month custodial sentence had been postponed for a restorative justice report to be completed. Gerdziunas currently has no alcohol addiction issues which had been problematic in the past.

Judge David Kennedy imposed a €500 probation bond to be of good behaviour in lieu of a four-month custodial sentence.

Mr O’Donovan asked if the defendant could be given more time to pay the fine as he is of limited means. Judge Kennedy extended the time to pay the fine to ten months.