Kerry man disqualified after drink driving on a Sunday morning
The KerrymanA judge disqualified a driver for two years after he made a U-turn to avoid a garda checkpoint on a Sunday morning in Castlemaine last autumn.
Daniel Griffin (48) of Whitegate, Keel, Castlemaine was observed driving toward a garda checkpoint at 9.20am on October 13, 2024.
“I observed a male get out and walk away,” said Garda Callinan told Cahersiveen District Court earlier this month. “I called out to the driver, judge, and spoke to him.”
He noted Mr Griffin had slurred speech, a strong smell on his breath and was unsteady on his feet.
The court heard he blew 48 microgrammes per 100ml of breath, more than twice the legal limit.
“I formed the opinion that he was in excess of the legal limit,” said the garda.
His solicitor Padraig O’Connell noted his client was “extremely cooperative”.
Judge David Waters convicted and fined €350, in addition to the disqualification.