A man has been banned from driving for three months after gardaí told Dublin District Court they were satisfied he had been driving while watching a portable DVD in the car.
Plumber Mohammed Akran Khan (39) was yesterday banned and fined for driving through a red traffic light while looking at the DVD.
Mr Khan, South Richmond Street, Dublin, denied his DVD was switched on when he was seen driving through a red light at Charleston Road, Rathmines, Dublin, on March 30th last year.
However, Judge Patrick Clyne said he did not believe "one word" from Khan, whom he disqualified for three months and fined €750 for careless driving. He had also given a false name after gardaí stopped him.
Dublin District Court heard that an unmarked Garda car was driving behind him as he approached the Castlewood Avenue junction.
Two officers said they saw him looking down at the passenger seat, slow down and continue driving, although the traffic light was red. When he was stopped and gardaí noticed the DVD player on the seat, he gave no response when asked if he was watching it.
One garda examined the player and found it was still warm.
Khan, a married father of one, said he had driven from Naas and had been watching the DVD player half an hour earlier. "But I was not watching it when the garda stopped me," he said.
He also denied the traffic light was red. "When I was moving through the junction, maybe the amber light was on, but it was not red."
Judge Clyne rejected a plea for leniency from Mr Khan
The judge said: "I did not believe a word he said."