A Lithuanian man, who last week bore the brunt of a frustrated judge in Carlow District Court, was put off the road for two years for drink-driving.
Vaidas Skultinas, 27 Crossneen Manor, Graiguecullen, who appeared this week with an interpreter, following Judge William Harnett’s harsh words last week, was appearing on a charge of drink-driving at Ballinacarraig, Carlow on July 6 last. Mr Skultinas was reprimanded for his lack of English last week when he replied: “I not understand. I have insurance here. I don’t know how I was drunk,” after being asked if he understood the charge.
“You are coming into a court in a country you are living in without the language. I find it intolerable that people come into this court without English,” Judge William Harnett told the defendant last week.
This week, through his interpreter, Mr Skultinas pleaded guilty to driving with 62mg of alcohol over 100ml of breath. When asked if he was working, Mr Skultinas said he was not. “I was hoping to take a job next week as a delivery man, but not now I suppose,” said the married father of a disabled child. Judge Harnett fined Mr Skultinas €300 and disqualified him from driving for two years.
