A self-employed carpenter has been disqualified from driving for two years after gardai pulled him over in south Dublin and noticed he had glassy eyes and his speech was slurred.
Eduard Hupalov (39), with an address at the Cavan Crystal Hotel, Dublin Road, Cavan, pleaded guilty to drink driving at Belgard Road, Dublin 24, on February 25, 2024.
The court heard that when tested, his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit for driving.
Tallaght District Court heard that gardaí observed a grey 2008 Toyota Avensis on Belgard Road and stopped the vehicle. When gardai approached, they noticed the driver had glassy eyes and his speech was slurred. They arrested him at 23:50 and brought him to Terenure Garda Station, where a Ukrainian interpreter was present.
A breathalyser test was later carried out under Section 12(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act. The court heard that at 01:13 hours, within three hours of driving, the concentration of alcohol in Hupalov’s breath was 61mg per 100ml.
Hupalov was convicted of an offence contrary to Section 4(4)(a) and (5) of the Road Traffic Act 2010.
The court heard there was no damage caused and that he has no previous convictions.
Defence solicitor, Jeremiah Breen, said his client is married, is the father of one child aged eight, and made an early plea. The court also heard he sought six months to get his affairs in order.
Judge Brendan O’Reilly imposed a fine of €300 and disqualified Hupalov from driving for two years.