Teenager banned for speeding at 166kmph

A YOUNG Meath man has been put off the road for two years after being caught speeding at 166km/h on the N3 on his way home from a McDonald's.

Padraig Lynch (20), told Judge Raymond Finnegan he “didn't realise” how fast he was travelling with a friend in his car at Billis, Ballyjamesduff.

Cavan District Court heard the road was wet at the time, with a “strong cross wind” and there was traffic on the roads when the detection was made just over a week before Christmas, on 13th December 2023. Officers “eventually” stopped the car when it got caught behind traffic coming into Virginia.

Judge Finnegan was told that Lynch, of Ardfrail, Oldcastle, was travelling home from McDonald's in Cavan Town at the time.

“I didn't know how fast I was going,” said Lynch, to which the judge asked how the defendant would expect to respond if a dog or a child ran out in front of his car?

“166kmph in a 13 year-old car,” said the judge, warning Lynch that he was “lucky” neither he nor anyone else was killed.

Along with the ban the judge imposed a €400 fine giving him three months to pay.

Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

Separately, a Dublin motorist who was prosecuted for dangerous driving as a result of speeding on the M3 motorway was fined €300 on a reduced charge. Judge Eirinn McKiernan on hearing the facts on a previous date directed that Sean Keenan (25), Oakgreen, Royal Oak, Santry do a driving course. In that event she said the charge would be reduced.

Judge Gerard Jones sitting at Trim District Court last Thursday imposed the fine for careless driving.