Teenage Cork driver clocked at 175km/h could not explain why he was driving so fast

Defendant was convicted of careless driving, which does not carry a mandatory disqualification

Garda speed check detected the car travelling at excess speed along the Macroom bypass in Co Cork at 1.30pm on March 2, 2025. File picture

A 19-year-old motorist who was observed driving at 175 km/h could not explain the reason for his speed when he was pulled over by gardaí, the district court has heard.

Sergeant Trish O’Sullivan told Macroom District Court a Garda speed check detected a car travelling at excess speed along the Macroom bypass in Co Cork at 1.30pm on March 2, 2025.

The car — driven by 19-year-old Kevin Neclua  of Saint Brigid’s Terrace, Bandon, Co Cork — was detected driving at 175 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. 

When Neclua was pulled over and asked why he was driving so fast, he could not give an explanation.

The court heard Neclua had no previous convictions, and when he was stopped his insurance, road tax and NCT documents were all in order. 

Neclua was initially charged with dangerous driving due to the very high speed of the offence. The charge was reduced by agreement to the lesser charge of careless driving, which does not carry a mandatory disqualification penalty on conviction.

Defence solicitor Éamonn Fleming said his client was a barber who had always worked. He said Neclua could not really explain why he was driving at such excess speed. He said in his favour Neclua had no previous convictions and all of his documents were valid when he was stopped.

Judge Joanne Carroll convicted Neclua of careless driving and fined him €250, allowing him four months to pay the fine.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme