Fianna Fail TD apologises after conviction for driving over 190km/h

A Fianna Fail TD has apologised after he was convicted for dangerous driving after a court heard he was detected driving at more than 190km/h.

Kerry TD Michael Cahill was disqualified from driving for two years and fined 500 euros at Fermoy District Court.

In a statement, Mr Cahill said he offers his “sincere and unreserved apology for driving at an unacceptable speed” during the incident on the M8 between Mitchelstown and Fermoy last March.

He has also resigned from the Dail’s Joint Justice Committee.

“At the time, I was travelling from Leinster House to a meeting at St Mary of the Angels in St Francis’ Special School in Beaufort, County Kerry, when I was stopped by a member of An Garda Siochana,” Mr Cahill said.

“I am very sorry. There is no excuse for my actions. I am acutely aware of the number of serious and fatal accidents on our roads, the devastating impact these tragedies have on families and the fact that excessive speed is a major contributory factor.”

He added: “I will not appeal the conviction and furthermore I have informed the Taoiseach of my intention to step back as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.”

Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said Mr Cahill accepts the incident was “completely and utterly unacceptable”.

He said the matter will be considered by the party’s Rules and Procedures Committee in due course.

“I have been informed that Deputy Michael Cahill was convicted in the District Court for dangerous driving,” he said.

“I have spoken to Deputy Cahill. This incident, which took place last year, was completely and utterly unacceptable. He accepts this and apologises.

“He has rightly received his punishment in the courts, a decision he fully accepts.

“As legislators, Dail deputies have a particular responsibility to set the right example, and Deputy Cahill has accepted that this incident let down both his family and the wider community.

“He has also decided to step down from the Justice Committee. The matter will also be considered by the party’s Rules and Procedures Committee in due course.”