Swerving across lanes on Laois motorway

A man who was swerving across lanes while driving slowly on the motorway was handed a driving ban and fine in court.

Keith Devaney, 49, of 18 Hillcrest Manor, Templeogue, Dublin was arrested for dangerous driving on the M7 motorway at Junction 15 on August 10 last. 

Garda Keith Hartnett said the defendant was driving across different lanes on the motorway and appeared to have had drink taken. He was driving at a very slow speed and “swerving from left to right” on the date in question. The man, who has no previous convictions, refused to provide a breath sample at Portlaoise Garda Station. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was entering a guilty plea. She explained that he has had issues with alcohol. She said the man’s father died in April and he “had a relapse of his issues.” She described how he acted  “wholly out of character by refusing to give a sample.”

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client’s addiction counsellor was in court to support him. She asked that any disqualification be postponed in order to allow him make arrangements as he now cares for his mother.

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €200 and disqualified him from driving for four years. He postponed the disqualification until January 20.