Driver clocked at 190kph was ‘burning off filters’

A driver who was clocked travelling at 190kph on the Sligo to Collooney dual carriageway escaped a driving ban at Sligo District Court.

Dawid Major of 52 Cartron Bay was charged with dangerous driving following his driving at Carrowgubbadagh on November 15 th 2017.

At the outset of the case Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor (defending) said the defendant was prepared to plead to a lesser charge of careless driving.

Outlining the facts, Inspector Donal Sweeney told the court that Garda Andrea Rogers was operating a speed check on the dual carriageway when she became aware of a car travelling at high speed at Ballydrehid.

It was observed overtaking a number of cars and was clocked at 190kph in a 100kph zone at Carrowgubbadagh heading towards Sligo.

The Inspector added that the offence took place at 12.05pm.

The driver got caught up in traffic as it neared Sligo and was stopped at a red traffic light at Michael Conlon Road when spoken to by the Garda.

Asked for a reason for his speed, Major (39) told the Garda that he had been advised by his mechanic to “burn off the filters.”

Ms Spellman said it was accepted that it was an extremely high speed.

He had indeed been advised to burn off the filters but not to do it at that speed.

The father of two, a native of Poland, was living in Ireland for the past 11 years.

He did not have any previous convictions or any penalty points and his tax, insurance and NCT were all in order.

She asked the Judge not to impose a driving ban.

Asked by Judge Kevin Kilrane for his opinion in the matter, Inspector Sweeney replied that it was a very high speed.

Judge Kilrane said that he would reluctantly reduce the charge to one of careless driving but that the defendant would pay. A fine of €750 was imposed.

The conviction also results in five penalty points on the defendant’s driving licence.