Truck driver disqualified and fined for drink driving offence on M7 outside Nenagh

A truck driver who was caught drink driving has been put off the road for a total of two years by Nenagh District Court.

Robert Lach of Fortview, Caher Road, Mungret, county Limerick, pleaded to drink driving at Carrigatoher, Nenagh, on October 21, 2021.

He pleaded to dangerous driving on the same occasion.

Mr Lach also pleaded to dangerous driving at Annaholty, Birdhill, on July 16, 2021.

The court heard that in relation to the incident on July 16, two witnesses who were travelling behind Mr Lach in separate vehicles reported that a truck in front of them was being driven erratically and the driver was crossing back and forth over the white line. They put on their hazard lights to warn other motorists and contacted the gardaí.

In relation to the October 21 offences, the court heard that the gardaí had received a report of a truck that was driving at a slow speed on the motorway and that the driver was travelling in and out of the hard shoulder.

The driver, Mr Lach, was stopped by Garda Keith Fitzgerald, and a breath sample showed Mr Lach had 61mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath.

Mr Lach’s solicitor, Elizabeth McKeever, told the court that her client had been going through a separation in 2021 and had been suffering with his mental health.

“He was on medication and began drinking heavily,” she said. However, he had not drank since and was attending AA meetings.

“Thankfully there was no accident and nobody was hurt,” she said.

Judge John Brennan was told that Mr Lach had been driving an articulated truck at the time of the offences.

Judge Brennan noted that there was a “difficult background” to the incidents and that Mr Lach was going to suffer severe consequences.

He fined Mr Lach a total of €300 and disqualified him for a total of two years.

The disqualification will take effect on August 22 to allow Mr Lach find alternative employment.