A man accused of speeding on the N11 has had the charge struck out after claiming he was abroad when the alleged offence occurred.
Vabags Janis (43), with a previous address at Main Street, Arklow, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court charged with speeding.
Counsel for the defendant, Sorcha Dianamh Ní Néill Fulham, informed the court that the matter was listed for hearing, but the investigating garda was not on duty at the moment.
She added that Mr Janis disputes that he was the driver of the vehicle, due to him claiming he was not in the country on October 30, 2022.
Sergeant Mick Dee said that the prosecution was not in a position to dispute the defendant’s claim.
Mr Janis gave evidence that on the date in question, he was at a spa and hotel with his wife in Estonia.
Documentation was handed into the court, including his geolocation, hotel booking and pictures from his trip.
It was noted that the car he was accused of driving on the N11 was rented from Europcar.
However, Mr Janis confirmed that he rented a car from them in November 2022, but was not aware of why the gardaí identified him as the driver.
Judge Mary McAveety commented that it was “strange, that somebody was stopped and by pure chance they gave the defendant’s name”, before striking the matter out.
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