Meath carer (42) to appeal conviction for drink driving
A motorist who was almost four times above the legal limit is to appeal a conviction for drink driving.
Gintire Granickien (42), Beach Grove, Laytown, Co. Meath, was fined €1,500 and disqualified from driving for three years after Drogheda Court rejected defence submissions in respect of issues following her arrest.
The married mother of two children, who had the assistance of an interpreter, contested a charge which arose after she was stopped at a Mandatory Intoxication Testing (MIT) checkpoint.
Gda Cathal Hughes testified that at 7.05pm on November 16, 2025, at Coast Road, Laytown, he stopped a white Mercedes.
The driver did a breath test which returned a “fail”.
Ms Granickien, who has no previous convictions, was arrested and brought to Ashbounre Garda Station, arriving at 7.47pm.
Gda Hughes said that breath samples provided showed a reading of 84mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, adding the legal limit is 22.
The defendant made no reply after being charged by him, the officer continued.
He said that he was not present when she went to the Evidenzer room.
The member in charge of the station replied to barrister Niall Mackin that the defendant told him she understood what was happening and said she didn’t require an interpreter.
He noted in the custody record that Gda Hughes commenced the 20-minute period of observation.
Sgt William Dempsey gave evidence that he started the 20-minute observation period at 7.52pm before taking Ms Granickien to the doctor’s room where she provided two breath samples.
He said that he had no difficulty communicating with her. She indicated at all times that she understood.
Sgt Dempsey told Mr Mackin that he began the observation period without informing the prisoner that he had started it.
He didn’t note the exact time he informed her of the observation period commencing.
Counsel applied for a dismissal on the grounds that a request for breath had been made under the wrong legislation and that stating the authority for a MIT checkpoint was at the R150 Coast Road was not precise enough.
Mr Mackin also submitted that there was a contradiction in the evidence about the observation period.
Court presenter Sgt John O’Hehir responded that the correct legislation was in a Garda statement and that the authorisation for the checkpoint was adequate.
He said the purpose of the observation was to ensure that the defendant did not consume anything in that 20-minute period.
Judge Nicola Andrews said that the authorisation covered the R150 Coast Road.
The court was satisfied that the period of observation was to ensure “nil by mouth” and that there was not an obligation to inform the driver when it started.
Ms Granickien was not deprived of her liberty longer than necessary, the judge continued, adding that there was a case to answer.
The defence did not go into evidence.
Mr Mackin said that his client has been in Ireland for the last 20 years.
She will lose her job as a carer as a result of the disqualification.
Bail to appeal was set at a personal bond of €1,000, with €1,000 cash lodged.