Mr Prawo Jazdy

Double Cross · February 19, 2009, 12:41:02 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7899171.stm

Details of how police in Ireland finally caught up with the country's most reckless driver have emerged.

He had been wanted from counties Cork to Cavan after racking up scores of speeding tickets and parking fines.

However, each time the serial offender was stopped he managed to evade justice by giving a different address.

But then his cover was blown.

It was discovered that the man every member of the Irish police's rank and file had been looking for - a Mr Prawo Jazdy - wasn't exactly the sort of prized villain whose apprehension leads to an officer winning an award.

In fact he wasn't even human.

"Prawo Jazdy is actually the Polish for driving licence and not the first and surname on the licence," read a letter from 2007 from an officer working within the Garda's traffic division.

"Having noticed this, I decided to check and see how many times officers have made this mistake.

"It is quite embarrassing to see that the system has created Prawo Jazdy as a person with over 50 identities."

The officer added that the "mistake" needed to be rectified immediately and asked that a memo be circulated throughout the force.

In a bid to avoid similar mistakes being made in future relevant guidelines were also amended.

And if nothing else is learnt form this driving-related debacle, Irish police officers should now know at least two words of Polish.

As for the seemingly elusive Mr Prawo Jazdy, he has presumably become a cult hero among Ireland's largest immigrant population.

Norf Tyrone · February 19, 2009, 12:44:13 PM

Sweet geezus.

Our Nail Loney · February 19, 2009, 12:46:51 PM

Priceless!!

Hardy · February 19, 2009, 12:58:40 PM

That's hilarious. You can always trust plod to lower the stupidity limbo bar.

INDIANA · February 19, 2009, 01:00:45 PM

Banana republic or what. Only in this country. Is it any wonder we're portrayed as a bunch thick, ignorant stupid drunks internationally with stories like that. Embarrassing.

brokencrossbar1 · February 19, 2009, 01:03:36 PM

Quote from: Hardy on February 19, 2009, 12:58:40 PM
That's hilarious. You can always trust plod to lower the stupidity limbo bar.

They wouldn't have gotten away with it when Garda Hardy was on the beat

armaghniac · February 19, 2009, 01:04:34 PM

But perhaps Pan Ceadúnas Tiomaná is speeding around Poland.

Zapatista · February 19, 2009, 01:08:15 PM

He works with me. Showed me his licence this morning. Should I turn him in?

baoithe · February 19, 2009, 02:10:34 PM

Classic. Was actually going to post the irishtimes.com link to this but see someone beat me to it.

Orior · February 19, 2009, 03:27:22 PM

Well whaddyexpect?

A while ago didnt we have a w**ker in government called Dick Spring?

Isnt Licence a valid surname?

Are ther any forenames that sound like Driver?

Puckoon · February 19, 2009, 05:45:13 PM

This is hilariously embarrassing. Its THE top emailed story on BBC.

thebandit · February 19, 2009, 05:46:12 PM

"What's your name and how do you spell it"

Square Ball · February 19, 2009, 05:51:20 PM

they even had this on 5 live, funny as feck

Caid · February 19, 2009, 08:05:27 PM

Just heard about this from a guy in the states - seems like the Irish stupidity is travelling round the world fast....

muppet · February 19, 2009, 08:12:48 PM

I gave my name as Ceadúnas Tiomána to an officer in Australia once.

He asked my sarcastically what it was in english. I said Kenny Timoney and he believed me.