Man caught at ‘horrendous speed’ on motorway in Laois

A man who was caught at a ‘horrendous speed’ on the motorway was told he can donate €5,000 if he wants to avoid a disqualification. 

Joseph Lane, 43, of Castleroberts, Adare, Limerick was detected driving at 182kmh in a 120 km zone on the motorway at Ballydavis, Laois on October 8 last year. 

He is accused of dangerous driving but Judge Andrew Cody said he would consider reducing it to careless driving on condition he makes a charitable donation. Careless driving doesn’t lead to an automatic disqualification but dangerous driving does. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client had been driving for 25 years without convictions or penalty points. He said the man works in construction and had been driving an Audi A4 on the date of the offence. 

“He was shocked to learn that he had crept up to that speed,” said Mr Meagher. 

Describing it as a “horrendous speed,” Mr Meagher said that if the court were so minded he would pay a charitable contribution. 

Judge Andrew Cody suggested a contribution to the  Midlands United Powerchair Football Club who are sending two members to Australia to compete.

He told Mr Meagher that he would accept the lesser careless driving in place of dangerous driving if the defendant donated €5,000 to the club. He said the donor would get tax relief on the donation. 

“He can shake his head but it has to hurt,” Judge Cody said,  noting the man’s reaction. 

He adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court to allow the defendant to come up with the donation.