Judge imposes road bans after men convicted of drink and drug driving in Limerick

A number of persons were convicted before Limerick District Court this past week of driving while intoxicated.

DESPITE annual road safety campaigns discouraging drink and drug driving, causes of fatal and serious road traffic collisions, a number of persons were convicted before Limerick District Court this past week of driving while intoxicated.

Jan Lenting (38), with an address at Tyone, Nenagh, County Tipperary, received a three-year driving ban and a €500 fine, with four months to pay, after he pleaded guilty to drink driving before Judge Patricia Harney.

Mr Lenting told the court: “It’s not something I take pride in.”

The court heard that Gardaí detected Lenting driving over the legal alcohol limit after they stopped his vehicle at Lifford Avenue, Limerick, on September 6 last.

Gardaí said they observed cans of alcohol in Lenting’s car and detected a “strong smell of alcohol” from him during the traffic stop.

Tamas Harkai (41), of Cratloe Student Village, Caherdavin, Limerick, appeared before the court on a charge of drug-driving and possession of a small amount of drugs.

Gardaí told the court they observed Harkai driving in an “erratic” manner before they stopped his vehicle at Merchant’s Quay, on July 19, 2025.

After stopping Harkai, Gardaí noticed a “smell of cannabis” in his car and that his eyes were “glassy”.

Harkai provided Gardaí with a sample of blood, which tested positive for cannabis.

He was searched by Gardaí and found to be in possession of €100 worth of cannabis.

Gardaí agreed with Harkai’s solicitor, Tom Kiely, that he had “cooperated fully” with Gardaí on the day in question.

Mr Kiely said a driving disqualification would cause Harkai “some inconvenience” as he was a “working” man.

In mitigation, Mr Kiely argued that Harkai had no previous convictions, to which Judge Harney retorted: “He has a conviction now for drug driving.”

Harkai pleaded guilty to drug driving and received a €500 fine with three months to pay.

He was also given a one year driving ban, which was deferred to November 1.

The drugs possession charge was withdrawn by the court after it took into consideration that Harkai had no previous convictions, and that he had paid €300 to the court poor box.

The legal drink driving limits for professional, learner and novice drivers are:

20 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood 27 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of urine 9 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath

The legal limits for fully licensed drivers in Category B are:

50 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood 67 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of urine 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath

First offence: Between €200 and €400 as well as road bans between three and six months

For certain drugs – cannabis, cocaine, and heroin – it is illegal to drive if you are over the specified limit, even if your driving is not impaired to an extent that you don’t have proper control of your vehicle.

If you are convicted of being over the limit, you will be disqualified from driving for at least one year on a first offence and at least two years for a second or subsequent offences.

The maximum penalty for all drug driving offences is a €5,000 fine and up to six months imprisonment on summary conviction.