Judge fines speeding drivers from Kildare, Offaly, Wicklow, Dublin - and an Italian businessman

Scores of speeding drivers appeared before Naas District Court today after they were accused of road traffic offences on Co Kildare roads.

More than 100 defendants who packed the courtroom were from all parts of Co Kildare as well as Dublin, Wicklow, Offaly and Cork.

A man from Italy who was in Ireland on business was also convicted of speeding after his vehicle detected by Kildare gardai.

He was charged with travelling at 144 km per hour in a 100 km per hour zone on the N7.

He claimed he never received the fine in the post and the first he knew of the offence was when he received a summons to appear in court.

Judge Desmond Zaidan fined him €450 for the offence.

Other offences being prosecuted today also included holding a mobile phone while driving as well as having no tax, insurance or NCT.