Newtownabbey man drove at 98mph on M1 motorway despite being an R driver
A Newtownabbey man has been fined and given penalty points by a Lisburn judge after being caught driving at almost 100mph on the M1 at Moira.
He appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 28, charged with driving at excess speed.
The defendant was further charged with failing to display R plates on the vehicle.
The court heard that on April 4, 2025 police stopped a vehicle on the M1 motorway at Junction 9 at Moira after it was recorded as being driven at 98mph.
Checks showed that the defendant - 38-year-old Daniel McCord, whose address was given as Glencroft Gardens in Newtownabbey - was a restricted driver, having recently passed his driving test. However no R plates were displayed on the vehicle.
A defence lawyer told the court the defendant was employed full time and had a clear driving licence.
He continued: “He had been cleaning the car and that is why the R plates weren’t displayed as they should have been.”
The lawyer added that the defendant had “entered a plea at the first possible opportunity”.
During sentencing, District Judge Rosie Watters said: “I probably should disqualify him.”
On the charge of excess speed, Ms Watters imposed a fine of £150, as well as an offender’s levy of £15.
She also endorsed the defendant’s driving licence with four penalty points.
On the charge of failing to display R plates on the vehicle, Ms Watters imposed a fine of £100.
She allowed the defendant 16 weeks to pay the fines.