Anthony Nash asked Garda if she knows who he is when arrested on suspicion of drink driving, court hears

Two-time All-Star hurler, Anthony Nash, asked a Garda, “Do you know who I am?” when he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after his car was found mounted in a ditch with the back of the vehicle protruding onto the road, a court has heard.

Cork District Court heard that Mr Nash (40) also told the Garda “I’m drunk” when she approached him in Cloghroe in Blarney, Co Cork on the evening of August 9th, 2023.

The former Cork goalkeeper, who was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, had the case against him dismissed on Monday after his barrister Paula McCarthy cited a lack of evidence as to the time of driving.

For a drink driving prosecution to succeed there must be proof that the driving took place within the three hours prior to when the alcohol test is performed.

The court heard evidence from Garda Catherine Byrne. She said that a grey Skoda Kodiaq car crashed in to a ditch on the side of the road at Cloghroe in Blarney, Co Cork.

Garda Byrne said that the front of the vehicle had mounted the ditch whilst the back was protruding on to the road. She arrived at the scene at 9.22pm on August 9th, 2023 having received a report from radio control a few minutes earlier.

Garda Byrne said a male came from the driver side of the vehicle. She stated that the man was “dishevelled and appeared distressed.”

Garda Byrne asked him if he required an ambulance and he said that he was “okay.”

She said that the man identified himself as the driver of the vehicle and stated “I’m drunk.” She said that she immediately cautioned him that anything he said could be used in evidence against him.

Garda Byrne said that there was a strong smell of alcohol from the driver.

“He was unsteady and his eyes were glazed. I asked the