Cork teen put off road for two years after speeding at 160 km/h in 100 zone – months after passing test
Matthew O'Brien, 19, with an address at Mount House, Patrick's Hill, Cork, was caught driving 60 km/h over the speed limit at a speed checkpoint on the N20 outside of Mallow.
Arresting officer Deirdre Barrett, from Mallow Garda Station told Mallow District Court that she had detected a blue BMW 1 series, that had its right indicator on but wasn't overtaking and was speeding on a road that had a wet surface following an earlier shower.
When pulled over, Mr O'Brien, who had 'novice' plates in his car, told Gardaí that he didn't realise he was speeding, and was seeing friends to get food.
'He had forgotten everything he had learned previously,' commented Judge Colm Roberts.
Defence solicitor David O'Meara told the court that Mr O'Brien had been diagnosed with cancer in his right knee a few weeks previous, and 'was in a very dark and worried place' at the time of the incident.
'He's still on crutches, and is in the middle of his Leaving Cert,' Mr O'Meara told the court, and said that Mr O'Brien would complete an advanced driving training.
'Advanced Driving Training is for people who may, over a period of time, get into bad habits, not for those who have just finished their test,' Mr Roberts told the court. 'I have to disqualify him.'
Judge Colm Roberts said that he would hand out an automatic two-year qualification to Mr O'Brien, but Mr O'Meara asked the judge to consider a delay in the disqualification to give the teenager an opportunity to prove his good behaviour.
However, Judge Roberts said that the immediate disqualification was in Mr O'Meara's client's benefit. 'If he learns a good lesson now, he'll be safe for the rest of his life. For his safety and the safety of others on the road he needs to be disqualified,' said Judge Roberts.
'He's only 19,' said Mr O'Meara to the Judge.
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'If he's only 19 and he hits someone, it's zero, they never live again,' said the Judge.
'I wish you all the best with your Leaving Cert but news like that should make him more careful.
'He wanted to see his friends as quickly as possible, and he was enjoying the speed. And unfortunately like a lot of people his age he believes he cannot be touched.'
In imposing the two-year driving ban, Judge Roberts told Mr O'Meara, 'I wouldn't be giving your client any favours by postponing. This is the time to take the disqualification so time can start ticking as soon as possible.
'I wish him the best in his Leaving Cert, his recovery, and I urge you to learn your lesson as soon as you can,' said Judge Roberts to Matthew O'Brien.
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