A MOTORIST seen driving erratically from Ballinhassig to Timoleague by an off-duty Garda Chief Superintendent was fasting at the time and didn’t think his driving was an issue, a court heard.

Ion Munteanu (40) of Ardmore, Timoleague pleaded guilty at Bandon District Court to three counts of careless driving on March 30th last between Ballinhassig and Timoleague.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told the court that Chief Supt Vincent O’Sullivan, of the Cork County Garda Division, was driving in his own car while off duty in Ballinhassig when he observed the accused in front him veering into the middle of the road.

‘Mr Munteanu’s driving was erratic and he followed the car through Ballinhassig and onto the N71 for Bandon where he didn’t indicate, forcing another car to move to avoid a collision,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

‘The car was being driven at a reasonable speed but was weaving in and out. Chief Supt O’Sullivan contacted gardaí and he remained behind the car through Innishannon and on to Bandon.’

The court heard that Chief Supt O’Sullivan put on his hazards [lights] in case any car behind him would try to overtake Mr Munteanu’s car as one wheel was in the stone concrete outside of Innishannon.

‘He drove on to Timoleague and was driving in the middle of the road at Knockbrown while he took the first left bend on the incorrect side and could have caused a collision.’

Mr Munteanu was later questioned by gardaí about his driving but because he wasn’t stopped by gardaí at the time of driving they were unable to determine if he had been driving while intoxicated.

The court heard all other units had been attending another matter at the time of the incident.

‘In his caution statement he said he was fasting at the time and was feeling nauseous,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

Judge Joanne Carroll asked if the defendant had any recollection of the ‘flashing lights’ or the ‘blowing of horns’.

Defence solicitor Éamonn Fleming said there was no attempt to evade anyone and his client didn’t think his driving was bad.

‘He has no memory of flashing lights. He is a member of the Christian Orthodox Church and was fasting and got sick after drinking a coffee,’ said Mr Fleming.

The court heard Mr Munteanu had no previous convictions and works as a full-time butcher travelling to different meat factories and sings in the church choir.

Judge Carroll convicted him on one of the careless driving charges at Barrett’s Hill in Ballinhassig, and fined him €225 with four months to pay the fine. She struck out the other two charges.