23-05-2025
Two-year ban for kitchen porter who drove at dangerously high speed
Declan Cooney (39) had also suffered the loss of three very close family members.
A kitchen porter who drove at high speed in a built-up area of Dublin was upset following an argument with his girlfriend, a court heard.
Declan Cooney (39) had also suffered the loss of three very close family members.
Judge David McHugh fined Cooney €250 and banned him from driving for two years.
The defendant, with an address at Dunmanus Road in Cabra, admitted dangerous and drug driving at the N2 Finglas on October 1, 2023.
Garda Paul Doona told Blanchardstown District Court that he was operating a speed checkpoint on the day in question when a white Volkswagen Golf drove past at high speeds, in excess of 100kph.
Gda Doona said he stopped Cooney, who apologised for speeding, and said he had had an argument with his girlfriend.
The garda said Cooney took a breath test, and it returned a positive reading for cannabis.
The court heard the defendant had never been in trouble before.
Defence lawyer Mark McMahon said Cooney worked as a kitchen porter in a hospital.
Cooney had suffered personal difficulties lately, Mr McMahon said, with the deaths of his father, brother and his mother.
