Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 15202Drink driving · Co. Kilkenny · 21 Dec 2024

Man convicted of drink driving after Paulstown collision

On 21 December 2024 a car crashed at Shankill, Paulstown, County Kilkenny, and a man from Poland, Marek Mazurek, was found in the driver's seat. Gardaí arrested him after noticing signs of alcohol impairment, and a breath test gave a reading of 111mcg of alcohol per 100 mls of breath. On 30 October 2026 he pleaded guilty to drink driving and was convicted, fined €500 and disqualified from driving for three years, with the judge describing the reading as very high.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A car crashed and the man found in its driver's seat was Marek Mazurek, a man from Poland.
Where
The collision happened at Shankill, Paulstown, County Kilkenny.
When
The collision happened on 21 December 2024, and the garda arrived at the scene at 6.20pm.
Investigation
  • The driver tried to leave the scene but the car was stuck in mud.
  • Gardaí noticed a strong smell of alcohol, unsteadiness and slurred speech in the driver.
  • Mazurek was arrested and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station.
  • A breath test showed 111mcg of alcohol per 100 mls of breath.
Charges
Mazurek was charged with drink driving.
In court
On 30 October 2026 Mazurek pleaded guilty to drink driving and was convicted.
Sentence
He was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for three years.
Other details
  • The judge described the alcohol reading as very high and staggering.
  • His solicitor said he had cooperated with gardaí and was apologetic.
  • He had lived in Ireland for 10 years and has a serious alcohol problem.
  • He has been notified of proceedings to return him to Poland.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe collision happened at Shankill, Paulstown. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe collision happened on December 21, 2024. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationA man was sitting in the driver's seat of the crashed car. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe driver tried to leave the scene but the car was stuck in mud. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí noticed a strong smell of alcohol, unsteadiness and slurred speech. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe man was arrested and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationA breath test showed 111mcg of alcohol per 100 mls of breath. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe accused pleaded guilty to drink driving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for three years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the alcohol reading as very high. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he had cooperated with gardaí and was apologetic. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherHe is from Poland and had lived in Ireland for 10 years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherHe has a serious alcohol problem and has been notified of proceedings to return him to Poland. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the alcohol level was staggering. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Oct2026
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    'Wow' - Judge and gardaí shocked by Kilkenny crash driver's alcohol level

    Reports the court outcome: Mazurek pleaded guilty, was convicted, fined €500 and disqualified for three years. It gives the breath test reading and the judge's comments.

    convicted, Marek Mazurek, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Marek Mazurek