Limerick carer gets three-year driving ban for drink driving at night

A CARER has been convicted of drink driving in Limerick.

Umaro Tarawalie, 35, of Chestnut Garden, Newcastle West, was flagged down by a garda on patrol who was “concerned by his manner of driving” on the Rossbrien Road, Dooradoyle, at 1.46am, on September 15, 2024.

Prosecuting Sergeant Denis Waters said that the man was administered a drug test and arrested.

Upon testing at the station, Mr Tarawalie was found to have 76 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of breath.

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The legal drink-driving limit in Ireland for fully licensed, experienced drivers is 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

Limerick District City Court heard that Mr Tarawalie has no previous convictions.

Making a plea of mitigation for Mr Tarawalie, Solicitor Darach McCarthy said “he’s very sorry”, and that his client is pleading guilty to the intoxication matter.

The solicitor said that Mr Tarawalie is married, and the father of three children. Mr McCarthy stated that Mr Tarawalie is employed as a careworker, and the man drives to work.

Mr McCarthy petitioned the judge to defer any driving disqualification, as Mr Tarawalie will have to move house if he cannot drive to work.

Judge Patricia Harney disqualified the man from driving for three years. The judge deferred the driving ban until June, and noted that the man has a previous good record.

Judge Harney convicted Mr Tarawalie for drink driving, and fined the man €500, giving him four months to pay the penalty.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme