A woman has been fined after being detected driving at 133km/h on a regional road in Waterford. Caoimhe Ridgard, 22, of Wheatfield, Fieldstone, Tramore, Waterford, appeared at Waterford District Court before Judge Mark O’Connell after being charged with dangerous driving under Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act. Garda Liam Marshall told the court he was running a speed checkpoint on the R682 near Ballykinsella, Tramore, at 11.10pm on 15 March 2026 when he detected Ridgard driving at 133km/h in an 80km/h zone. After stopping and speaking to her, the garda showed her the device used to detect her speed and arrested her for dangerous driving. The court heard the charge was linked to the nature of the speed on a busy road, and to the fact a fatal collision had previously occurred on the same stretch. Ridgard had no previous convictions and was described as fully compliant following the incident. Her solicitor, Martina Mullins, questioned why a fixed charge penalty notice was not issued and argued that arresting her was disproportionate, seeking the charge to be struck out. Judge O’Connell refused to strike out the charge, citing evidence of Ridgard’s extremely high speed. The solicitor then asked for the charge to be lowered to careless driving, with Ridgard consenting to a guilty plea. The judge agreed to the lower charge. Ridgard told the garda she “wasn’t paying attention.” The judge said he had no doubt she was driving at 133km/h, calling it extremely dangerous given it was late at night and dark. Judge O’Connell imposed a €750 fine and did not disqualify her from driving.