Chef caught doing 175kph in Laois told donate €5,000 or lose licence

A chef who was caught doing 175kph on the motorway will need to donate €5,000 if he is to keep his driving licence.

Lukasz Maslowski (39) of 9 Royston Village, Kimmage, Dublin was caught driving at 175kph on the M7 at Ballydavis, Portlaoise on June 30, 2024. 

Garda Ross Foy said the incident occurred at 10.24am on the date in question. Garda Foy said the defendant was driving a 181D registered Volvo S90 and visibility was good. The defendant cooperated fully and passed the roadside breath and drug test when caught, he said.  

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client had attended a wedding the day before and was returning to Dublin as he had to work from lunch that day. He said the man had been very careful at the wedding the day before. 

Mr Meagher said his client had no penalty points and had never been involved in an accident. He said the man had brought €2,500 to court and was asked that the court consider reducing the dangerous driving to careless driving, which doesn’t involve an automatic disqualification. 

Judge Cody noted the man was “driving a nice Volvo S90” on the date in question. He said it was a very significant speed and the defendant would need to double the sum before he would consider reducing it to careless driving. 

“He would be willing but he would need significant time,” said Mr Meagher. He told Judge Cody that there was an outstanding loan on the car.  

“I would ask him to make that donation to the Merchants Quay programme,” said  Judge Cody. He said the man would get tax relief on the donation. 

Judge Cody adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on May 1 and said if €5,000 was donated to Merchants Quay “I will reduce it to Section 52(Careless driving) and there will be a fine of €400.”