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‘Preoccupied’ man clocked at 101mph on the motorway escapes disqualification

Defence admitted: 'There is no excuse, there was no emergency'

A man who was detected by police travelling at 101mph on the M1 has escaped a driving ban.

The 36-year-old’s legal representative told court: “There is no excuse, there was no emergency. The purpose of his travel was work related. He was simply not concentrating and was preoccupied about other things.”

Bernard McDonagh, of Ardnaskea Park, Coalisland, pleaded guilty to excess speed at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Prosecution outlined that on October 3, at 6.13am, police observed a car travelling at speed on the M1 at Junction 13.

Officers were able to detect the vehicle as travelling at 101mph for just under three-and-a-half miles.

Defence counsel stated: “There is no excuse, there was no emergency. The purpose of his travel was work related. He was simply not concentrating and was preoccupied about other things.

“What is not outlined is that there was light traffic, the weather was good and the road conditions were good.”

He added: “All of his record is of some vintage; 2010 was his last road traffic offence and that was relating to road tax.”

McDonagh was handed six penalty points and was ordered to pay a fine of £300, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.

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