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Goulburn Local Court: Daniel O’Donoghue sentenced for high-range drink driving on Hume Highway

A Sydney man has been caught driving almost 40km/hr over the speed limit on the Hume Highway near Goulburn to try to get to work on time, after downing several full-strength beers.

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A Sydney man has been caught driving almost 40km/hr over the speed limit on the Hume Highway near Goulburn to try to get to work on time, after downing several full-strength beers.

Daniel O’Donoghue, 28, appeared at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for high-range drink driving, with a blood alcohol reading of .207.

According to his lawyer, Richard Brandon-Baker, the young labourer was socially drinking with friends on February 1 when he received a text from his boss asking him to work on a construction site in Canberra early the next morning.

Daniel O’Donoghue, 28, appeared at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday for high-range drink driving. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva
Daniel O’Donoghue, 28, appeared at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday for high-range drink driving. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

“He’s then gone home to Maroubra, and made the mistake in deciding to drive to Canberra that night,” Mr Brandon-Baker said.

According to the facts provided to the court, he had consumed several Carlton Dry schooners before deciding to take the around two-and-a-half hour journey to Canberra along the Hume Highway at high speed.

At around 10.35pm, documents state police saw him zoom by in his white Sedan from under the Windellama Bridge Overpass, when performing stationary speed enforcement operations as part of the closing of Australia Day 2022.

Facts state the sedan had only one working headlight and tail light, making it hard for other road users to see. At one point, O’Donoghue was driving approximately 147km/h, where the speed limit was 110km/h.

Police immediately turned on their warning lights and documents state O’Donoghue cut dangerously in front of a heavy vehicle to stop his car.

According to the documents, police said he was struggling with simple tasks like turning the headlights off and when they asked why he was stopped by them, he said “I was probably going too fast”.

Documents say there was also a six pack of Carlton Dry beer found on the front seat, and two empty bottles lying around, which O’Donoghue denied drinking while driving.

Police automatically suspended his licence given the high blood alcohol reading and took him into custody, where he was later given bail.

Daniel O’Donoghue was speeding on the Hume Highway at night during the closing of Australia Day 2022 operations when there was heavy traffic. Picture: Google Maps
Daniel O’Donoghue was speeding on the Hume Highway at night during the closing of Australia Day 2022 operations when there was heavy traffic. Picture: Google Maps

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie called the matter a “very serious offence” that could’ve ended in a fatality.

“It’s night time and you’re on a highway where there’s heavy traffic,” Magistrate Beattie said.

“Luckily police stopped you before you managed to kill someone.

“You knew you had excessive alcohol and you didn’t consider your options.”

According to Mr Brandon-Baker, he was “remorseful and ashamed of his behaviour”.

“He entered an early plea of guilty, and has treated this with the seriousness it deserves,” Mr Brandon-Baker said.

“He has also been bussing and taking a train from Sydney to Canberra for work.”

All this was considered by Magistrate Beattie who also noted his good character references and the fact that he has no criminal record here or in Ireland (his country of birth).

O’Donoghue was given an Intensive Corrections Order of 12 months with supervision, 250 hours of community service, a $900 fine, a mandatory interlock order and is disqualified from driving until September.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/bowral/goulburn-local-court-daniel-odonoghue-sentenced-for-highrange-drink-driving-on-hume-highway/news-story/552a52e24738ee55f89afd0183fa2f70