18-05-2025
Edmore Mwanza: Drunk driver said Google Maps told him to drive wrong way on motorway
Edmore Mwanza has been fined and given multiple driving bans
A driver with a Waterford address who drove the wrong way on the M8 motorway in Tipperary after consulting Google Maps, has been fined and given multiple driving bans.
Speaking at a hearing at Cashel District Court, Garda John Shanahan told Judge Brian O'Shea that on April 29, 2024, there were multiple reports of a vehicle travelling on the M8 motorway near Junction 11.
Gda Shanahan arrived at the scene and the vehicle was located, facing the wrong way, at a layby. The location was in the townland of Raheenroe, Burncourt, Cahir, Co Tipperary.
The garda spoke to the driver, Edmore Mwanza, of The Malt House, Mary Street, Waterford. Mr Mwanza was arrested and taken to a garda station where he provided a sample of breath.
It showed a reading of 63 micrograms of alcohol per 100mls of breath. The legal limit is 22/100. Mr Mwanza was charged with a drink driving offence. He told the garda he had been using Google Maps at the time, and 'it told him to turn around' and drive 'in the other direction' directly on to the motorway, said Gda Shanahan.
He has no previous convictions.
Judge O'Shea said he would normally fine a driver €200 for such a drink driving offence, but in this case, he fined the defendant €500, and disqualified him from driving for two years.
Mr Mwanza was also disqualified from driving for two terms of two years each, to run concurrently, in relation to no insurance and dangerous driving.
