Two fines for teenager who drove Toyota Hilux at 100kph through village in the Midlands

“Youthful exuberance” was cited as a reason a teenage learner licence holder drove a Toyota Hilux at up to 100kph through Timahoe village. 

John Connors (18) of 891 Piercetown, Newbridge, Co Kildare was initially charged with dangerous driving and being an unaccompanied learner driver in relation to the incident at Timahoe village on February 19 last. 

Sgt JJ Kirby explained that Det Garda Galwey had been on routine patrol when he spotted the 241KE registered Toyota Hilux speeding at 11.30am. 

He said the Toyota hit a ramp at speed and crossed over a white line and was followed by Det Galwey. The driver, who was an unaccompanied learner driver, was unable to give a reason for speeding when stopped, he said. 

He said the teenager was doing up to 100km/h in a 50km zone but noted that the road and driving conditions were good on the date. He said the teenager had no previous convictions. 

On hearing the evidence, Judge Susan Fay agreed to solicitor Barry Fitzgerald’s request to have the dangerous driving charge reduced to careless driving. 

Mr Fitzgerald said his client was being supported in court by his father. “He accepts that he needs to be more careful,” he said. 

“There may have been an element of youthful exuberance,” said Mr Fitzgerald. 

He said his client works in construction earning around €500 a week. He said the teenager has learned from the experience and he noted that the speed mentioned by gardai was estimated and not proven.

Judge Fay said there could have been a child on the road. “I won’t impose a disqualification but this is a serious charge,” she said.

She fined the teenager €650 for careless driving and a further €250 fine for driving unaccompanied and gave him six months to pay.