Detective convicted of dangerous driving

A detective garda who spent the day in the pub before crashing an unmarked garda car has been convicted of dangerous driving.

Detective Garda Kevin Keys of Mountjoy Garda Station has been fined €500 and disqualified from driving for 2 years.

Det Keys admitted losing control of the unmarked garda car that collided with a 4x4 on the M50 in Dublin on February 6, 2010.

He was rostered to work until 5pm that day but in the afternoon he went to a pub in Phibsboro with off-duty colleagues to watch an Ireland-Italy rugby match.

There was evidence from ambulance staff that he smelt of drink and the court heard he had consumed six pints, possibly shandies, as well as coffee and water.

Judge Conal Gibbons struck out a charge accusing him of the unauthorised taking of an unmarked patrol car, but convicted him of dangerous driving.

He said Det Keys had been spoken of in very high terms and while it was regrettable he must be held to account.