Wicklow man who was driving at a ‘crazy speed’ on motorway in Wexford is put off the road
Wexford PeopleA young Wicklow driver who was caught travelling at 160kmh on the M11 has been disqualified from driving for two years after admitting careless driving before Gorey District Court.
The court heard that on December 12, 2025, Garda Vincent Downes was conducting a speed check in an unmarked patrol car on the M11 when a vehicle being driven by Morgan Lawless (19) of 21 Seacourt, Newcastle, Wicklow, passed at high speed.
The vehicle driven by the accused was travelling at a speed of 160kmh in a 120kmh zone.
Garda Downes informed the court that in order to catch up with the vehicle he reached speeds in excess of 200kmh.
Lawless exited the motorway towards the Newtown Road when he noticed the garda in pursuit and stopped the car.
A roadside drug test was carried out which produced a negative result.
The court heard traffic conditions on the evening were light and the stretch of motorway was straight, with good weather conditions at the time.
Ms Doherty told the court that Lawless had not initially realised a garda vehicle was attempting to stop him and pulled over once he became aware of the patrol car behind him.
She said her client accepted responsibility for his actions and had taken the matter seriously.
Judge Kevin Staunton noted that there was a large number of careless driving charges before the court, 14 in total, arising from the one instance of “driving at a crazy speed”.
He was pleased to see the young man taking the matter seriously by completing the drive awareness course, describing the incident as a “serious error in judgement” at the time.
A two-year driving disqualification was imposed on one charge of careless driving, with the remaining 13 charges struck out.