Drove Mercedes ‘like a rocket’ on M7

A man was ‘driving like a rocket’ on the on the M7 motorway, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told. 

Shola Ayodeji, 38, of 41 Ard Eireann, Mountrath appeared in court charged with careless driving on the M7 at Meelick, Portlaoise on January 23, 2023. 

The defendant brought €1,000 to court. It was the final payment of a €5,000 poor box contribution previously agreed to have his initial dangerous driving charge reduced to one of careless driving. 

Judge Andrew Cody noted the man had been detected driving at 170 kmh in his Mercedes car on the date in question. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client worked in recruitment and needed his licence. She said the court had previously indicated that a charge of dangerous driving would be reduced to one of careless driving if €5,000 was donated. 

Judge Cody ordered that the €5,000 be donated to the St Vincent de Paul. He said it would be very welcome at this time of year. 

He convicted the defendant of careless driving and fined him €400.

Ms Fitzpatrick asked if he would fix recognisance in case of appeal. She said the appeal related to the fine.  

“A fine of €400 and he driving like a rocket in his C350 Mercedes,” said Judge Cody. 

He fixed recognisance in the case.