A Judge at Waterford District Court told a truck driver last week that drink driving was an “incredibly silly thing to do” as he will lose his job over “a few drinks.”
Booi Elton Hendriks (32), of Marsh Meadows, New Ross, Wexford, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, contrary to Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act, relating to an incident where he was stopped by Gardaí on 16 March this year.
The court heard that after the accused was stopped by Gardaí, they spoke to him and noted that his speech was slurred and there was a “strong smell of alcohol” from him. After failing a roadside breath test, he was arrested by Gardaí and taken to the Garda Station, where a breath sample gave a reading of 62mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor John O’Donohue highlighted that his client apologises for his actions, and is reliant on his licence as he works as a truck driver.
Judge Kevin Staunton said that it was an “incredibly silly thing for a lorry driver to do, to lose his job over a few drinks.”
Judge Staunton imposed a two year driving disqualification, which will take effect from 1 February, 2026, while also acknowledging the “hardship” this will cause him, given his profession, and decided not to issue him with a fine for this reason.
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