British Army soldier found driving at 140 km/h on Kildare route

A member of the British Army who was found driving at an excessive speed near Newbridge appeared before the local court.

Thomas Dowling, 27, whose address was given as 4th Battalion Ranger Regiment, New Normandy Barracks, Aldershot, UK, was prosecuted for dangerous driving at Morristown Upper, Newbridge, on December 20, 2024.

Sgt Mary Meade told Naas District Court the defendant drove a BMW M3 car past an unmarked patrol car at 2.45pm.

READ NEXT Lots at stake, for both Kildare and Offaly, in derby showdown

Sgt Meade said the vehicle continued to accelerate, overtaking other vehicles on the Naas to Newbridge dual carriageway route.

The sergeant said the car was driven at up to 140 km/h, though she conceded there was no technical evidence in support of this.

Sgt Meade also said that the limit was 80 km/h in that area.

Barrister Mark Gibbons said the defendant, a corporal, accepted that his driving was "entirely unreasonable.”

He also said the defendant was returning from visiting the grave of his brother.

He said he worked as a driver operative in the British Army.

Asking the court to reduce the prosecution to one for careless driving, Mr Gibbons said the defendant had been “chastened by the whole experience.”

The barrister also said the defendant had a clean record and a clean driving licence.

Judge John Brennan said the defendant was driving at a substantial speed, even if the road has two lanes. 

But he reduced the case to careless driving, noting the defendant had no convictions and had suffered a tragic loss. He imposed a €600 fine.