A 197km/h spin proves costly for motorcyclist
He was caught driving double the speed limit on the N25.
A motorcyclist was captured by an on-duty Garda driving 197km/h on the N25.
Colm Dowling (34) of Baunslusk, Kells Road, Kilkenny, was convicted of careless driving at Waterford District Court.
The Court heard that on the evening of July 10, 2024, a Garda saw Dowling driving 197km/h on his motorcycle on the Knockanagh stretch of the N25. The speed limit is 100km/h.
The Garda followed Dowling along the N25. The defendant reduced his speed and was stopped at Carriganore along the Old Kilmeadan Road. The driver was said to be 'immediately apologetic' and attended Waterford Garda Station. He was detained and charged with dangerous driving contrary to Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act.
He was later charged with careless driving contrary to Section 52 of the same act. The Court heard that Dowling attended a bike safety course after the event.
On Wednesday, July 23, he appeared in the District Court of Appeal before Judge Sarah Berkeley to appeal the 12-month disqualification from driving.
Defence counsel for Dowling argued that he needed to drive to work in Tipperary due to poor public transport options. He supplied a reference letter from his GAA club.
Judge Berkeley asked: "Why was he doing that, a need for speed is it? At his age?
"He's putting his life and other's lives at risk."
Judge Berkeley refused to reduce the penalty.
