Driver’s Near Miss: Vehicle Left Dangling Off Bridge

Drink driving case dismissed after legal argument.

A man who drove halfway off a bridge while intoxicated escaped a drink-driving conviction but was ordered to make a contribution to a charity due to the crash.

The case came before Judge Adrian Harris at Clifden District Court on 27 February, 2025.

Mr K pleaded not guilty to drink driving on the N59 in Connemara, in August 2023, but admitted to causing criminal damage to the bridge.

He was represented by Patrick Horan solicitor.

"Judge Harris said Mr K was “lucky to be alive” 

and commended the vigilance of Garda ME

in responding to the incident so quickly"

Garda ME, who responded within minutes, described the scene:

"It was an unusual scene. A pickup was hanging over the bridge precariously with one occupant in the vehicle," he told the court.

“The vehicle was in a vertical position, and it was immediately clear that this vehicle had crashed through the stone wall on the right-hand side of the bridge”.

Upon approaching Mr K, Garda ME noticed signs of intoxication. “He had slurred speech, so I cautioned him and asked if he had been drinking. He admitted he had a few pints following a game of golf.”

Mr K was assisted from the vehicle and taken by ambulance to University Hospital Galway, with Garda ME following in a patrol car.

At the hospital, Garda ME attempted to secure a blood sample as part of the investigation. He explained the procedural steps he took.

The prosecution argued that a sample taken at the hospital showed Mr K had “236mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, over four times the legal driving limit of 50mg.” 

However, after legal arguments presented by Mr Horan, the evidence relating to the drink driving charge was ruled inadmissible.

Judge Harris dismissed the drink driving charge.

Turning to the criminal damage charge Mr Horan advised the court that Mr K, a 63-year-old engineer, had no previous convictions.

Mr Horan said that the costs of repairing the bridge that Mr K. had driven through had been estimated by Galway County Council at €9,840. “Mr K” he told the court, “had paid this amount in full some months ago”.

"The prosecution argued that a sample

taken at the hospital showed Mr K had

“236mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood,

over four times the legal driving limit of 50mg.” 

The court heard that “he’s done well. He has ongoing issues medically that are being treated. He accepts he must be more careful with alcohol.” It was also noted that “he hasn’t drunk once in the last 14 days and is drinking less overall.”

Judge Harris said Mr K was “lucky to be alive” and commended the vigilance of Garda ME in responding to the incident so quickly.

He ordered Mr K to pay €1,000 to the Little Blue Heroes charity, which helps children with serious illnesses.

Once this was paid Judge Harris agreed to strike out the criminal damage charge, leaving Mr K’s record clean.