'Probably the worst excuse we've heard': Gardai unimpressed by motorist caught using mobile phone
The motorist was caught using their phone while driving on Thursday - stock photoGardai were given the "worst excuse we've heard" after they nabbed a motorist using their phone at the wheel.Members of the Kilkenny Road Policing Unit were on patrol in Freshford in the north of the county on Thursday when they spotted a driver "holding their phone and clearly looking at the screen".When Gardai caught up the motorist and pulled him over, the driver 'had an excuse ready,' telling officers: "I wasn't texting, I was watching a video".The excuse left gardai far from impressed, with officers posting about the encounter on the An Garda Siochana Kilkenny Facebook page."Probably the worst excuse we've heard.....," they wrote."One of our RPU lads stopped a driver in Freshford a few minutes ago. They encountered a driver holding their phone and clearly looking at the screen. Our chap turned his vehicle around and intercepted the driver who had an excuse ready."'I wasn't texting, I was watching a video'. No comment."FCPN issued. Collect 4 of these and you can watch all the videos you want."The motorist is now facing a hefty fine along with having a number of penalty points added to their license.Those found guilty of holding a mobile phone in their hand, or to support it with another part of your body, while driving receive fixed penalty notices for the offence; a €120 fine and three penalty points on their licence. This increases to a fixed charge of €180 after 28 days, and 5 penalty points and a more significant fine can be imposed if it goes to court because of non-payment.The daily average detected using their phone while driving during 2024 was 60. Over 21,500 drivers received FCPNs last year having been detected using their phone while behind the wheel."Driving while on your phone distracts you and takes both your eyes and your full attention away from the road," a garda spokesperson said."This is highly dangerous and potentially life-threatening for you and other road users. Yet, there is a very simple and easy solution – just don’t do it."Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
