Motorist who drove at 188km/h gets two-year ban
The defendant appeared before Castlebar District Court.
A two-year driving ban has been imposed on a 28-year-old motorist who was detected travelling at 188 kilometres per hour (112 miles per hour) on the N5 dual carriageway outside Westport.
Liam Mooney, Ardgammon, Westport, appeared before Castlebar District Court where he was convicted of dangerous driving along the N5 dual carriageway at Kilbree Lower, Westport on August 13, 2025.
The defendant admitted driving at 188km per hour in the 100km per hour zone but claimed his driving was careless rather than dangerous.
Evan O'Dwyer, solicitor for the defendant, told Judge Sandra Murphy that his client had given into the "temptation of the open road" and was willing to plead guilty to a lesser charge of careless driving.
Judge Murphy declined to accept the plea to the lesser charge indicating that the speed Mooney was doing was almost twice the speed limit which she regarded as dangerous driving.
Garda Padraig Walsh told the court that he was conducting a speed check along the N5 when he detected an Audi A4 driving in the direction of Westport at 188km per hour. The time was 5.42pm. He followed the car which was driving in the overtaking lane and only slowed when it got caught behind another car travelling at a slower speed in the overtaking lane.
Garda Walsh said his colleague activated the lights and siren and the 2010-registered car came to a stop at Monamore, Westport.
The court was told Mooney was a novice driver at the time of the detection and passed roadside tests for both alcohol and drugs.
Garda Walsh said Mooney was arrested for dangerous driving and brought to Westport Garda Station. He was co-operative at all times.
Mr O'Dwyer said his client accepted his criminal culpability in that he was driving over the speed limit but denied it was dangerous.
However, Garda Walsh disagreed, saying that the road was busy at the time, the sun was low and Mooney was a novice driver who had driven at all times in the overtaking lane.
Mr O'Dwyer said his client gave into the temptation of the good road and there was no question that Mooney was wrong to drive at the speed and now has to face the consequences of his actions. The defendant has not taken the matter lightly and completed a driver awareness course.
Having read the report, Judge Murphy said Mooney has to be commended for the steps he has taken since his detection and noted that the report found that Mooney had learned from his experience. She imposed a two-year driving ban and a fine of €350.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
