Novice driver caught speeding at 168km/h has since 'downgraded' to a 1.6-litre car

The judge agreed to reduce the initial charge of dangerous driving which carries a mandatory disqualification penalty on the first offence to the lesser charge of careless driving

The novice driver, who was a student at the Munster Technological University (MTU) and also worked 38 hours per week to support himself, was very apologetic and had been fully co-operative with the gardaí. File photo

A novice driver who was caught driving at 168km/h in a 100km/h speed limit zone has pleaded guilty to careless driving in the district court.

Court presenter, Sergeant Trish O’Sullivan, told Macroom District Court that a Garda speed check was in operation on the Macroom Bypass, Co Cork, on February 22, 2025.

At 12.10am, a silver BMW car was recorded travelling at 168km/h where the legal speed limit was 100km/h. The car was pulled over near the exit for Ballyvourney and the driver — identified as Vincent Wagenaar, aged 19, of Killaha Heights, Kenmare, Co Kerry — was unable to provide an excuse as to why he was travelling so fast.

Defence solicitor, Patrick Goold, said Wagenaar was a novice driver and had no previous convictions. He said his client was a student at the Munster Technological University (MTU) and also worked 38 hours per week to support himself.

The court was told that Wagenaar had since got rid of the BMW and “downgraded” to a 1.6-litre car. Mr Goold said Wagenaar was very apologetic and had been fully co-operative with the gardaí. 

The court heard that there were no other road users in the vicinity at the time of the offence and there were no passengers in the BMW.

Judge John King agreed to reduce the initial charge of dangerous driving which carries a mandatory disqualification penalty on the first offence to the lesser charge of careless driving. Wagenaar was convicted and fined €400.

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