Kerry plumber was 'ready for take off', says judge in speeding case

Colum Anthony Griffin was recorded at a speed of 141km/h on the Macroom bypass

A speeding driver was going so fast on the Macroom bypass that he was “ready for take off”, Judge James McNulty told a recent sitting of Macroom District Court. File picture: Neil Michael

A speeding driver was going so fast on the Macroom bypass that he was “ready for take off”, Judge James McNulty told a recent sitting of Macroom District Court.

The court heard that Colum Anthony Griffin (46) of Kilbrean More, Kilcummin, Killarney, Co. Kerry, was recorded at a speed of 141km/h on the bypass for which he received a fixed charge penalty notice that he later failed to pay. 

Judge McNulty said that the seriousness of the speed he was travelling at could not be ignored.

Defence solicitor Patrick Goold told the court that his client was a plumber who travelled all over Munster for work and asked the judge to consider not disqualifying him as this would have a major impact on his ability to earn a living. 

He said that if his client had paid the fine in time he would not be in this situation. 

He said that Mr Griffin had four dependent children and was currently going through divorce proceedings. 

He said that he had always provided for his family and would continue to do so. 

The court was told that Mr Griffin had six previous convictions and already had five penalty points on his licence.

Judge McNulty adjourned the case until April 3 to allow Mr Griffin time to raise funds for a €1,000 fine. 

He told Mr Griffin that if he could pay the fine on that date he would consider convicting him and applying penalty points without disqualifying him from driving.