Disqualified for speeding with damaged windscreen | Westmeath Independent

A man whose windscreen was badly damaged, when he was caught going more than 50km per hour over the speed limit in October, has been disqualified from driving.

Auram Dobre (36), with an address at Kilmalady, Clara, Co Offaly, was charged with a number of road traffic offences, including driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and dangerous driving.

He appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Athlone District Court on February 5 where evidence was given of how, on October 21, 2025, at 10.45am, a Garda speed checkpoint at Faheeran, Moate, detected a vehicle travelling at 156km per hour in a 100km per hour zone.

When stopped, Gardaí found the car to have an extensively damaged windscreen on the driver’s side, which impaired the driver’s vision.

The driver, Mr Dobre, was found to have no insurance and no licence, and was also charged with dangerous driving. He entered a plea of guilt before the court.

Mr Dobre, who has six previous convictions, is married, with a wife in Romania and an eight-year-old son.

His solicitor, Patrick Carty, outlined how Mr Dobre’s employer “was aware something was amiss with this man, and was concerned for him at the time”, but now says “he’s doing better”.

“He lost his way for an extended period last year. Alcohol was an issue. He wasn't sensible or minding himself in a reasonable way,” said Mr Carty.

Judge Owens proceeded to convict Mr Dobre on the dangerous driving charge, fining him €350 with six months to pay, and disqualifying him from driving for two years. The charge of driving without a licence was taken into consideration, while the no insurance charge attracted a further fine of €400 with 11 months to pay, and a four-year disqualification.