Cork motorist involved in crash given drink-driving conviction
Defendant was disqualified from driving for two years. File picture
A Cork man who was involved in a road traffic accident near Coachford has pleaded guilty to drink-driving in the district court.
Sergeant Eimear O’Connell told Macroom District Court that gardaí were called to attend the scene of a road traffic accident on the R619 near Coachford, at 8.50pm on November 17, 2025.
When they arrived, they found a silver Toyota Avensis car in the ditch by the side of the road. A Toyota Rav 4 was facing in the opposite direction with heavy damage evident to the front of the vehicle.
The driver of the Avensis, identified as 52-year-old Jeremiah O’Keeffe, from Clonmoyle, Aghabullogue, Coachford, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. O’Keeffe failed a breath test at Macroom Garda Station, which confirmed a breath alcohol level of 62mg per 100ml of breath where the legal limit is 22mg.
Defence solicitor Pat Horan said his client had no previous convictions, was fully insured, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was fully co-operative. The court heard O’Keeffe was the father of three children who had never come to Garda attention for any reason before and he apologised to the court.
Mr Horan said his client worked in retail and was requesting a one-month postponement of the mandatory driving disqualification to allow him time to make arrangements.
Judge Joanne Carroll said O’Keeffe was a mature man with no previous convictions who had pleaded guilty. She said these things could happen and O’Keeffe would have to put the matter behind him after the disqualification period.
She disqualified O’Keeffe from driving for two years and agreed to postpone the commencement of the disqualification period to begin on May 1.
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