POLICE PURSUIT | 

Drunk driver who sped through town was out celebrating Irish residency

Mr Rodrigues De Melo’s residency here had been confirmed and he went out for a meal to celebrate, the court heard.

Today at 07:37

A 38-year-old man out celebrating the confirmation of his residency in Ireland ended up before the district court.

Rafael Junior Mr Rodrigues De Melo, Kells Road, Collon, was convicted of drink driving and dangerous driving at King Street, Drogheda, and dangerous driving at West Street, Drogheda, on 18 December 2021.

He contested the three summonses.

Superintendent John Callanan said that he was Patrol Inspector at the time and at 12.50am he was in an official patrol car in West Street when a black Audi A5 went past at ‘high speed’.

There was a large number of pedestrians in the area.

He followed, activating the blue lights and siren. The other car continued at high speed down West Street, making no attempt to stop.

It went over a pedestrian crossing without slowing.

The Audi went along King Street before suddenly slowing and coming to a stop.

Supt Callanan said he got out to speak to driver and noticed a smell of alcohol from his breath.

Mr Rodriguez De Melo failed a roadside breath test and was arrested at 1.08am.

He subsequently provided a breath test which showed an over the limit reading of 37mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Cross-examined by solicitor Paul Moore, Supt Callanan said it was his opinion that the defendant initially decided he wasn’t going to stop, then thought the better of it. He was co-operative.

Mr Moore said there was no evidence that a fixed charge penalty notice issued. It must be issued prior to court proceedings.

Supt Callanan responded that the accused was a novice driver at the time and not entitled to one.

The solicitor submitted it was careless rather than dangerous driving.

He added the drink driving should be considered dismissed.

However, Judge McKiernan convicted on all summonses.

She said West Street was a very built-up area and there was also a pedestrian crossing.

There was one previous conviction for no insurance.

Mr Moore said his client was originally from Brazil and six years in Ireland.

A mechanical engineer on a Critical Skills work permit, his residency here had been confirmed at the time as had his full driving licence and he went out for a meal to celebrate.

He planned to remain in Ireland.

The loss of his licence would hinder his work. The defendant was also concerned about his immigration status.

A €300 fine and two-year disqualification were imposed on one of the dangerous driving summonses.

The others were taken into consideration. A six-month stay was put on the start of the disqualification.