Cork apprentice handed two-year driving ban after judges says garda traffic stop was lawful

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

An apprentice pipefitter has been convicted of drink driving after the court accepted that a Garda stop in the early hours of the morning was lawful.

Shane Connolly (19), Gearhies, Bantry, Co. Cork, contested the charge which arose following an incident in Dundalk last year.

The defendant, who has no previous convictions, was attending college in the town and told the officer who stopped him that he was looking for a B&B.

Gda Richie Moloney said that at 1.55am on October 4, 2024, while on mobile patrol he was exiting the Glenwood housing estate, Dublin Road, when he decided to follow a car which he believed was speeding as it travelled towards Dundalk town centre.

This vehicle stopped in the middle of the road and, without indicating, did a U-turn and drove back in the opposite direction.

Gda Moloney followed and said that the car swerved over and back on the road. When he activated the blue lights Mr Connolly, who was alone, pulled in near the Maxol garage, Dublin Road, not far from the Xerox junction.

His eyes were glazed and his speech slurred, and Gda Moloney said that he formed his opinion at 2.01am. He arrested the defendant on suspicion of drink driving.

Mr Connolly was designated a specified driver and subject to lower drink drive limits.

At the garda station he provided two breath samples which showed an over the limit reading of 45mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Cross-examined by barrister Niall Mackin, Gda Moloney said that there was no other traffic.

He believed that Mr Connolly was travelling at in excess of 50kmh. He had been following him for less than 200m before the U-turn.

The driver told him that he was attending college and was looking for a B&B in the area.

Counsel submitted that no evidence had been given of the speed limit on the road. The reason for stopping Mr Connolly was not well founded.

Judge Nicola Andrews said she was satisfied that the stop was lawful and that the State had proven its case.

Mr Mackin said that his client, an apprentice pipefitter, was in Dundalk on a FÁS course.

A €501 fine and two-year disqualification were imposed.

Bail to appeal was set at a personal bond of €500 with €500 cash lodged.