Road rage and a message for the future: Drivers fined and disqualified at Kerry court
The Kerryman“What is it when people get behind the wheel of a car?” asked Judge David Waters at Tralee District Court. The judge was about halfway through the day’s list, where several defendants appeared on road traffic charges. They would leave with hefty fines, lengthy disqualifications and, the judge hoped, “a message for the future”.
Rao Atiq Ur Rehman (57) of 53 Gleann na Gréine, Rathmore was fined €500 and given a two-year driving disqualification after hitting a woman at a pedestrian crossing. Mr Ur Rehman pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident at Tralee District Court on Monday.
The court heard that on October 31, 2023 at 8pm, he hit a pedestrian at a crossing near Ashe Memorial Hall, causing a fracture to her left shoulder. “He broke the red light and struck the person crossing the road,” Inspector Gary Carroll told the court. “He stopped briefly at the scene and there was an interaction.”
Mr Ur Rehman had no previous convictions and co-operated with gardai, the court heard.
Trevor Lawlor (48) of Lighthouse Village, Fenit was fined €300 for careless driving and €300 for a charge under hit-and-run legislation on June 28 at 5pm outside the Oyster Tavern in Spa. The court heard that a vehicle overtook him and he retaliated by clipping the vehicle. “There appears to be some kind of road rage matter, he took umbrage and followed him.” There was “a bit of verbals between parties”, said Inspector Carroll.
His solicitor noted it was “a flashpoint” and over in a matter of minutes.
“It’s an expensive lesson,” said the judge.
Eduard Berky (40) of The Square, Abbeyfeale was disqualified for four years after dangerously overtaking seven car seven cars at Ballydwyer West, Tralee on August 31, 2025 while driving under the influence of alcohol. He did this in view of a patrol car and as other cars were “honking and beeping”, the court heard.
Mr Berky subsequently blew 51 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit. He had three previous convictions, including a two year disqualification for driving under the influence of alcohol and a conviction for no insurance. In addition to the disqualification, the judge fined him €800 for dangerous driving and for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Jan Pastuszka (35) of Bridgefield, Killarney received his fourth conviction for driving without insurance, the court heard. “Putting our cards on the table, all we are hoping for today is to avoid a custodial sentence,” said his solicitor Brendan Ahern. “I think the penny has dropped, he’s not somebody who has ever spent time in custody.”
The judge gave a four-month suspended sentence and a six year disqualification for driving while disqualified.
He fined him €400 and gave an four-year disqualification for driving without insurance and fined him €400 with a three-year disqualification for dangerous driving.
“Just a message for the future,” said the judge.