A man who appeared before Waterford District Court on a drink driving charge was recently handed a disqualification, suspended sentence and a fine – with a Judge describing his behaviour as a “danger to society.”
Cristiano Bogadi (39) of 132 Clonard Park, Ballybeg, Waterford, appeared before Judge Catherine Ryan at a sitting of Waterford District Court last month, and pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving, relating to an incident that occurred in May 2025.
The court was told on 15 May last year, shortly after midnight, Gardaí observed a vehicle that was stopped at the barrier of the N25 toll plaza in Carriganore, Waterford. After speaking to the driver, who was identified as the accused, they arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The accused was then brought to Waterford Garda Station, and testing found 215mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine in his system. It was noted that the accused has previous convictions relevant to the matter, as he was handed a three-year disqualification in July 2025 for a separate drink driving charge after this offence occurred, and received a two year disqualification for a drink driving charge in 2020.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham highlighted to Judge Ryan that the most recent disqualification received by his client was handed down after this offence occurred, and that he is currently off the road.
Mr. Cunningham said that his client is 39 years of age, and although he suffers from a physical impairment issue, he is currently working full-time in Waterford City. The solicitor indicated that the offence was tied to an alcohol misuse problem that the accused has struggled with it in the past, but said that he is working on this by not drinking anymore.
Judge Ryan noted that the accused was pleading guilty, but acknowledged his previous convictions and told him that despite this, he continued to put both the public and himself at risk through his behaviour, which was a “danger to society.”
The Judge said that given the accused’s previous convictions, she would be handing him a mandatory six-year disqualification from driving. In addition, she also handed him a two month prison sentence suspended for two years, and a €500 fine.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Robyn Power
