Waterford court fines driver €2,000 for 'crazy speed' on N25
Mr Clowes was detected by the garda travelling at a speed of 181km/hour in a 100km zone. Stock Image.
Waterford District Court fined a UK driver €2,000 after gardaí caught him travelling at 181km/hour on the N25.
Judge Kevin Staunton said that because of how the man responded to the case, he would not impose a disqualification.
Toby Clowes (39), of 15 Claylands Place, London, pleaded guilty to careless driving at Ballynamona, Slieverue, Kilkenny on May 5, 2025.
Mr Clowes was initially charged with dangerous driving but that was later reduced to careless driving.
Garda Shelly Egan told the court that at 4:21pm, while operating a speed detection checkpoint, she detected the defendant driving at 181km/hour in a 100km/hour zone.
She arrested the defendant and took him to the garda station.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham told the court that his client was from the UK, and he had family and business connections in Ireland.
He was shocked to have been pulled over and that this is an “aberration for him”, Mr Cunningham told the court.
Mr Cunningham said that following the incident, his client apologised and took up a driver awareness course at his own expense.
He achieved a 90% grade and has no previous conviction in this jurisdiction or the UK.
Garda Egan said she accepted that this was “a learning opportunity for the defendant”.
“I do believe he understood the gravity of the situation, judge, and he was apologetic on the day,” said Garda Egan.
Mr Cunningham pointed out that because of the layout of the road, someone unfamiliar with it may not realise that it is not a motorway but rather a dual carriageway.
He asked that the judge consider not imposing a disqualification and instead issue a “loaded fine”, which the defendant was willing to pay.
Judge Staunton said that he accepts it looks like a motorway.
But he said the speed was “unacceptable”.
"That is a crazy speed to be travelling at,” said Judge Staunton.
He said that in usual circumstances, it would lead to a lengthy disqualification.
However, the judge said that as the defendant was almost 40 and given that he has no record, that suggests he is “not someone who disregards road traffic laws”.
In addition, the judge noted the evidence of Garda Egan, whose opinion he “pays particular attention to”.
The judge also noted the defendant's cooperation on the day, that he had come from the UK to attend court and that he had taken an awareness course.
“That goes to his credit and says a lot about him,” said Judge Staunton.
The judge said he would therefore not impose a disqualification, but he would issue a €2,000 fine and give the defendant four months to pay.
