Wednesday 28 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. 2786Drink driving · Co. Kerry · 4 Dec 2024

Motorist found asleep at wheel with vodka bottle, five times over limit, on N22 near Fossa, Killarney

A Kerry motorist was found asleep at the wheel of a car on the hard shoulder of the N22 near Fossa, Killarney, Co Kerry, on Wednesday 4 December 2024, with a large bottle of vodka next to them. The driver tested more than five times over the legal limit, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, and has been charged, with a court appearance at Killarney District Court to follow.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged6 Dec
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe driver was found asleep at the wheel of a car on the hard shoulder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA large bottle of vodka was found on the person in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe car was not pulled into a lay-by or somewhere safe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe driver tested more than five times over the legal limit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe driver was a full licence holder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred on the N22 near Fossa in Killarney. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, 4 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and conveyed to a Garda Station in Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe motorist has been charged and will appear before Killarney District Court at a later date. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe maximum penalty for drink driving is a fine of €5,000 or six months in prison or both. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Christmas and New Year Road Safety Operation in Kerry began on Friday 29 November and will continue until Monday 6 January 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDuring the first week of the operation, Gardaí carried out over 1,300 checkpoints. (irishmirror.ie)
  • other134 people were arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant during the first week. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherOver 2,300 drivers were detected for speeding offences during the first week. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherApproximately 430 vehicles were seized for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherApproximately 200 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for using a mobile phone while driving. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Dec2024
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai nab motorist found asleep at the wheel while five times over limit

    First report of the incident; includes details of the Christmas and New Year Road Safety Operation in Kerry and first-week enforcement statistics.

    suspect