Judge tells motorist “That’s too fast to be driving”

by Rachel Morgan News Editor

A motorist from Carndonagh has been fined €320 after being caught driving significantly over the speed limit on the outskirts of town last summer.

Speeding Offence on the R244

Tomash Kondyk, of Cashel, Carndonagh, appeared before Carndonagh District Court to address a charge of exceeding the speed limit. The charge was brought forward contrary to Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act.

The court heard that the incident took place during the early hours of August 1, 2025. At 12.45am, Garda Tully was conducting a speed check on the R244 road at Glasalt, Carndonagh.

During the operation, Garda Tully detected a 2006 UK-registered BMW travelling at 119 kilometres per hour. The vehicle was operating in a zone with a speed limit of 80kph.

Did You Understand? The vehicle involved in the speeding offence was a 2006 BMW registered in the United Kingdom.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Mr Kondyk, who has no previous convictions, represented himself during the brief hearing. He admitted the charge and told Judge Emile Daly that he accepted he had been speeding.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Judge Daly Emile Expert Insight

The defendant further explained that he had attempted to pay the fixed charge penalty notice previously but was unable to complete the payment process.

Judge Daly noted these circumstances and decided to keep the fine at €320, the same level that would have applied had the notice been paid by post.

Expert Insight: The court’s decision to maintain the fine at the fixed-penalty level suggests a pragmatic approach to administrative payment failures, provided the defendant shows contrition and has a clean prior record. However, the judge’s explicit warning underscores that the primary concern remains the safety risk posed by high speeds in designated zones.

While granting the fine, Judge Daly issued a stern warning regarding the speed involved, stating, “That’s too fast to be driving in that zone,” and adding, “it’s important that you seize account of that.”

The court has allowed Mr Kondyk a period of two months to pay the outstanding amount. Failure to meet this deadline could potentially lead to further legal proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the speed of the vehicle and the limit of the zone?

The vehicle was clocked at 119 kilometres per hour in an 80kph zone.

Real Life Fast & Furious, Judge LOSES IT! #judgefleischer

How much was the fine imposed by the court?

The motorist was fined €320.

Where and when did the speeding offence occur?

The offence occurred on the R244 road at Glasalt, Carndonagh, at 12.45am on August 1, 2025.

Do you believe fixed-penalty notices should be easier to pay online to avoid unnecessary court appearances?

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