Motorist with empty beer cans in car told Gardaí he was ‘Bob the Builder’ after crash

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 46-year-old driver has been fined and disqualified after pleading guilty to charges stemming from an incident when he was involved in a collision outside a Dundalk shop.

Joseph Markey, Tassagh Road, Keady, Co. Armagh, told Gardaí at the scene that he was “Bob the Builder”, while he was abusive to staff inside the Newry Road premises.

He was fined €150 and disqualified from driving for four years for refusing to provide a breath sample, and fined €150 for each of no insurance, driving without a licence and giving a false name and address.

A charge of refusing to provide a blood or urine sample was taken into consideration.

Judge Nicola Andrews said that the fines were low as an economic consequence follows with a disqualification.

Mr Markey, unemployed, was granted legal aid.

Evidence was given that at 5pm on May 23, 2023, Gardaí received a report of an intoxicated male in Applegreen, Newry Road.

His Vauxhall Astra collided with a disabled parking bay pole outside the shop.

The defendant was unsteady on his feet, slurring his words and smelling of drink.

On numerous occasions he gave false details to Gardaí, including that he was “Bob the Builder”.

There were empty cans of alcohol in the car.

Mr Markey has one previous conviction for a refusal to provide a sample charge for which he was fined €100 and disqualified from driving for four years.

Barrister Pearse Collins, instructed by solicitor Niall Fox, said that the defendant was remorseful and embarrassed. He had since ceased drinking.

At the time he was coping with his father’s passing.