Pair of 'dangling legs' out car window prompted Cork garda to stop car in Crosshaven

A pair of legs dangling from a back window of a car caught the attention of a garda who later stopped and arrested the driver for suspected drink driving in Crosshaven.

Garda Michael Harney was on duty after midnight on October 15 2023 at Lower Road, Crosshaven, County Cork, when he saw the car approaching from Church Bay Road, near Cronin’s Bar.

“The windows of the car were fogged up and I could see a pair of legs dangling from the back of the car.

“It crossed over the continuous white line. The vehicle came to a stop at Lower Road. I could see legs dangling from the back driver’s side window.

“I spoke to the driver Bryan Cotter and there was a very strong smell of intoxicating liquor from him. While speaking to him there was a female sprawled out on the back seat of the vehicle. Her legs were still sticking out of the car,” Garda Harney said.

Bryan Cotter,  aged 40, of Nova Court, Carrigaline, County Cork, pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving while he had excess alcohol, namely 172 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls or urine.

At the conclusion of the prosecution case from Inspector Brendan McKenna, defence solicitor Daithí Ó Donnabháin cross-examined the guard.

“Would you say the nature of your interactions with the motorist were civil?” the solicitor asked. Garda Harney replied: “It was and it wasn’t, to say the least.” 

Judge Philip O’Leary said: “I don’t know what that means.” Mr Ó Donnabháin said he did not know either.

Garda Harney explained. “It started hostile and it calmed down. Mr Cotter said, ‘Barry Galvin will get me off this’.” 

Mr Ó Donnabháin said he had no further questions and would not be calling evidence or making submissions.

Judge Philip O’Leary convicted and fined the motorist €350 and disqualified him from driving for two years.

The motorist had no previous convictions. Through his solicitor he apologised for everything that happened and accepted that it was ill-advised to drive from one location to another with passengers on the night.