Lucky no one was killed - Judge blasts man for 'demolition driving' in Offaly

A man who appeared on a summons for dangerous driving, hit and run and exceeding the alcohol limit was disqualified when he appeared at Tullamore District Court.

Mariusz Dubieniecki (47) of Shannon View, Kylebeg, Banagher, was accused of dangerous driving at Townparks, Birr, Knocknahorna, Banagher and Ballyneena, Banagher, on September 20, 2024. He was further accused of hit and run and failing to stop at Eden Road, Birr on the same date and with damage to property. In addition he was accused of attempting to drive while exceeding the alcohol limit at Cloonacullina, Banagher.

Mr Dubieniecki had hit two vehicles and a wall when he was driving in the direction of Banagher. He also parked on the wrong side of the road and went the wrong way around a bend. The scene was witnessed by an off duty garda.

Mr Dubieniecki had an alcohol reading of 265 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 litres of blood. The defendant had five previous convictions including driving without insurance, drunk driving and one for dangerous driving which had been reduced to careless driving.

Mr Dubieniecki, a Polish native had two young children aged three and five. He was on a lot of medication and was going through depression but is stable now, his solicitor Brian Duffy said.

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Mr Duffy said by pleading guilty he had saved the state a lot of money.

Judge Andrew Cody said it was lucky he didn't kill someone, bouncing off walls and hitting off cars. He described it as demolition driving. For the offence of drink driving he imposed a disqualification of six years. For dangerous driving he disqualified Mr Dubieniecki from driving for three years. He imposed fines of €1,250 and gave him six months to pay.

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